Since the 1950s, Atlantans have kicked off their holidays with Macy's Pink Pig ride. The Pink Pig has been a family tradition for nearly five generations.

Children of all ages are now allowed to ride Priscilla, the Pink Pig which opened Oct. 31, the grand opening at the Macy's Lenox Square Mall. Priscilla will drive around train tracks above the mall in a life-size storybook which features Priscilla and her friends.

Tickets are available at the Pink Pig kiosk in Lenox Square Mall which started Oct. 31 and runs till Jan. 3.

ATLANTA, Ga. - Local family and friends flocked atop the Lenox Square Mall to attend Macy's annual Pink Pig holiday ride benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Pink Pig is not just for young children, but for the young at heart. Grandparents and parents who have been attending this event generation after generation said they cannot wait to show their children and grandchildren Priscilla, the Pink Pig. This is a big family event that brings more than 20 family members. People attend because their great-grandmother rode, and then their grandmother, and then their child.

Priscilla, the Pink Pig is not just a train ride around the top of Lenox Mall: it's also a personal journey about Priscilla and her friends through a book. Children and their parents said they enjoyed riding around and taking in all the fun.

Macy's Pink Pig has donated $670,000 to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta on the grande opening, Oct. 31. "We benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta because it's so important to the community and to the city," said Macy's manager, Julia Weaver.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Patients from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta have the opportunity to attend the event. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Macy's held a Very Important Party also known as VIP for 150 to 200 patients of CHOA and their families. The VIP party had face painting, a DJ, reporters from channel 2, channel 5, channel 11, and channel 6 attended. Everybody came out for the event. Macy's manager, Julia Weaver, said what she enjoyed most about the event was seeing smiles on the faces of children.

On that Wednesday, Oct. 28, Macy's chose one patient who was considered a VIP patient. They get to have the first ride on Priscilla, the Pink Pig. This year, her name is Chloe. She is a patient at Children's, and was adopted from China. Workers of the event said what a wonderful little girl she is.

Not only did Chloe get to enjoy all that the ride had to offer, even children who were not able to walk from last year's event were able to attend this year and walk and ride Priscilla at this year's event. Volunteer Deirdre Haynes said she wanted to be involved today, because she likes to give back during the holidays.

She said not only do you get to see the kids that you're helping, but you know that a portion of money goes towards them. "And I love volunteering; so that's like a twofer basically," Haynes said. She not only gives back during the holiday season, she said she also feeds the homeless at her church on Saturday mornings as well.

Pink Pig Tradition

This event is so important because it is an Atlanta tradition for 50 years, Weaver said. She said it's very much a tradition because it's what Atlanta is all about. The holiday ride made its debut in 1953 at the Rich's downtown store. Children's parents and grandparents rode Priscilla the Pink Pig when they were younger and families continue to take their children year after year.

The Pink Pig was not only a fun ride for children and their families in the 1950s; it was also a part of history. According to aboutnorthgeorgia.com, after World War II, Macy's, formerly known as Rich's decided to attract more customers in 1953 by adding Priscilla, the Pink Pig monorail train. During this time, the train was segregated, which the Civil Rights Movement fought against.

Rich's was boycotted because of the segregated train and how African-Americans were not allowed to attend a popular restaurant called Magnolia Room. By 1961, Rich's desegregated the store and the Pink Pig ride as well. According to aboutnorthgeorgia.com, Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King saw this as a huge stepping stone toward the success of the Civil Rights Movement.

Macy's employee, Pamela Sturdevant was impressed by how the Pink Pig held a huge impact on the Civil Rights Movement as well. "I thought it was cool that it was a part of the Civil Rights Movement," she said. "I thought that was really cool; and that's what made me want to be a part of it."

Priscilla, the Pink Pig Ride

Patrons wanting to ride Priscilla, the Pink Pig have three different fares they can choose from. The more you ride, the more you will save.

Prices range from $3 for one ride, $5.50 for two rides, and $7.50 for three rides. A portion of each one of the rides goes toward CHOA.

The proceeds going to CHOA help enhance the lives of the children through excellent patient care, research and education.