The Pink Pig: It's Almost Time!

Opening Day 2007

Tomorrow is a special day here in Atlanta! It's opening day for The Pink Pig! The Pink Pig is a holiday tradition here, and all city residents are required to participate. Just kidding. The Pink Pig is a lot of fun, though. It's basically a little train ride that takes kids (and their parents) through a story. Oh yeah, the train is a pig!


Last year, Priscilla herself was there to greet the kiddos. Maybe we'll see her again tomorrow ...

Here's how the official Web site describes this Atlanta tradition: "Since 1953, The Pink Pig has been delighting generations of Atlantans. Come ride Priscilla, the Pink Pig, on train tracks through a life-sized storybook that includes the original Pink Pig and her friends."

Here's my brother Johnny holding Anna-Claire next to The Pink Pig. You can see the older version of the train in the background.

Back in the old days, The Pink Pig was located downtown at Rich's department store. It is now a Macy's gig and is located at Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead--you can find it outside under the big white tent in the upper-level parking deck. Tickets are $3 and can be purchased at the booth right inside the mall entrance near the tent. What's nice is that a portion of proceeds are donated to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Here's a great article about the history of The Pink Pig.

Johnny and me with Abigail, Anna-Claire and Kate. Aren't Abba's boots the cutest!?

Last year, Kate rode The Pink Pig twice. We went on opening day when her cousins Abigail and Anna-Claire were visiting from Tennessee. What fun we had! We bought a Christmas tree ornament to commemorate the occasion. A week or so later, we rode again with Kate's friend Amelia and her parents. It was fun dressing the kiddos up in pig-themed attire. And you can bet I have another piggie outfit for Kate to wear this year. LOL! I hope it fits. Although ... I just read here that on opening day (tomorrow, Nov. 1), kids who wear their Halloween costumes can ride for free. So we may have to get costumed up again for that. Too bad we don't have a full-on pig costume. Maybe next year!

Kate & Ah-Pah

Kate & Mommy

We plan to ride The Pink Pig a few times this year--hope to see you there! Here are some more photos from last year ...

All dressed up and ready for another ride ...

Amelia with her Mommy & Daddy--she is wearing a fun piggy outfit, too!

Look how small the girls are! We hope Amelia visits again this season so we can make it an annual tradition.

_____

P.S. For some reason, as of this posting, The Pink Pig Web site has not been updated with the 2008 info--but it does start tomorrow. (The attraction is usually open the first Saturday in November through New Year's Day or somewhere around Jan. 1. This season, it looks like it's going to be open through Jan. 4, 2009.)

P.P.S. In years past, Goodwill has given out free tickets to The Pink Pig to folks who drop off donations. They didn't have any last year when I dropped things off, but perhaps they just hadn't received them yet.

P.P.P.S. I recommend going earlier in the season, as opposed to later. The closer to Christmas it gets, the crazier the crowds get. I couldn't believe some of the long lines last year--especially on Saturdays. There are field trips during the week, too, so you may want to plan accordingly. Enjoy and take lots of pictures!