Georgia Magazine - November 2024 - 8

GEORGIA News
Compiled by Katie Cowart
Macy's Pink Pig returns at Georgia
Festival of Trees
The original Pink Pig train cars
are on display at the Atlanta
History Center in Atlanta.
The new Pink Pig is named Penelope, or
Penny for short.
N
early 70 years after its debut, the iconic Macy's Pink Pig
ride returns to metro Atlanta for this year's Georgia
Festival of Trees, allowing a new generation to
experience the beloved tradition.
The Georgia Festival of Trees, the state's largest holiday
event focused on spreading cheer and raising awareness about
human trafficking, will take place at the Gas South Convention
Center in Duluth from Nov. 23 to Dec. 1. The revamped Pink Pig
train will debut at the opening-night gala on Nov. 22.
The Pink Pig was originally a monorail on the rooftop of
Rich's department store in downtown Atlanta. The ride, known
as Priscilla, was so popular in the 1960s that a second pig,
Percival, was added. The train cars provided children with a
skyline view and a ride around Rich's Great Tree until the store's
closure in 1991.
After briefly appearing at Egleston Children's Hospital's
Festival of Trees, the original pigs found a permanent home at
the Atlanta History Center in 1996. The Pink Pig was resurrected
inside Lenox Square mall under a pink-and-white tent from
2003 to 2019.
The Georgia Festival of Trees spans 90,000 square feet of
convention space and features live entertainment, Santa's sleigh
and reindeer, and a variety of activities. Kids can enjoy the Elf
Training Academy, the Lil' Elves Driving Academy, a Lego
competition, a gingerbread house contest and more. The Elf
Phone Booth and a North Pole post office make getting in touch
with Santa easy.
8 Georgia Magazine November 2024
" Bringing back the Pink Pig with a new, modern twist is not
just a nod to Atlanta's holiday nostalgia but also a powerful
reminder of the spirit of giving and community. As families
gather to enjoy this cherished tradition for a new generation,
they also stand united in the fight against human trafficking,
making this event not only magical but also impactful, " says
Angie Ulibarri, Georgia Festival of Trees executive director.
In addition to family activities, there will be an afterhours,
21-and-older comedy showcase on Nov. 30. The event
raises funds for two nonprofits: Street Grace, a Norcross-based
organization that fights the exploitation of children, and Atlanta
Redemption Ink, which covers up tattoos for human-trafficking
survivors.
" We're proud to stand alongside the Georgia Festival of
Trees-holiday magic with a purpose to end human trafficking, "
says Jessica Lamb, survivor and founder of Atlanta Redemption
Ink. " As a survivor-led nonprofit, Atlanta Redemption Ink is
committed to ... helping [human-trafficking survivors] reclaim
their stories through tattoo services, scar revisions, iconography
training and support services. Being a beneficiary of this festival
gives us the chance to rally even more support for the resilient
survivors we serve while celebrating the season with our
incredible community! "
Learn more
For more information, visit gafestivaloftrees.org.
GEORGIA FESTIVAL OF TREES
ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER
http://www.gafestivaloftrees.org
Georgia Magazine - November 2024

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