The Pink Pig has been a popular Atlanta Christmas tradition since 1953. Grandmothers and grandfathers who rode the original pig as a child return to Lenox Mall during Christmas to keep the tradition alive. But, how did this tradition start?
Well, after World War II Rich's found that it needed to attract customers from the growing Atlanta suburbs to its downtown store. In 1948, Frank Pallotta, Rich's Publicity Director, came up with the idea to add a Christmas Tree ("The Great Tree") to the top of the store's 4-story "Crystal Bridge" across Forsyth Street. But, a few years later, something else was needed to compete with Sears & Roebuck and J. C. Penney, each of whom had also targeted the suburban customers.
In 1953, Pallotta once again came up with an idea to attract suburban customers downtown. He added "Priscilla the Pig," a small train that ran on a monorail through the toy department.
In 1955, to take advantage of the popularity of the children's ride, Rich's moved The Pink Pink to the roof of the store where it allowed kids an up-close view of the Great Tree and downtown Atlanta, and then came back inside to circle the toy department. A second pig, Percival, was added in 1964 to increase ridership. They both ran on the same monorail and were known as the Pink Pig Twins. 
When Rich's downtown store closed in 1991 the Pink Pig moved to the Festival of Trees, held to benefit Eggleston Hospital, but the Pink Pig was too expensive to run. In 1995 it was discontinued and donated to the Atlanta History Center. But, in 2003 the Pink Pig was resurrected, updated and running again on a track beneath a 170 foot, 1950′s themed Pink Pig Tent at the Lenox Square Mall upper-level parking deck near Macy’s. The ride takes you through a very pink life-sized storybook that includes the original Pink Pig on loan from the Atlanta History Center.
There are TWO lines for the Pink Pig. One line is inside Lenox Mall where you purchase your tickets. The other is outside in the parking deck where you wait to ride. You can purchase tickets anytime and they are not timed. So if you know you want to go closer to Christmas, you can always purchase your tickets now when the lines are shorter. That way, you only have to wait in the “ride line,” not the “ticket line” as well.
Employees help you board The Pink Pig and then its off into a children's wonderland that includes the original Priscilla's in a storybook setting. The train winds through the displays slowly on a level track. The story and the ride will be enjoyed by all. Unlike the Pink Pig at Rich's downtown, adults are welcome to ride with their kids. As you exit, feel free to browse the gift shop and perhaps buy a toy so that your kids will always remember the outing.
In addition to being a lot of fun, a portion of the proceeds go to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Pricing is $3 for 1 ride, $5.50 for 2 rides and $7.50 for 3 rides. For more information visit the official Pink Pig web site, where you can download a two-for-one coupon.
Do you have a favorite memory to share about the Pink Pig?
