An Atlanta holiday ride that became a seasonal tradition for many families returns to this year's Georgia Festival of Trees. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports.

Georgia Festival of Trees Executive Director Angie Ulibarri poses with Penny the pink pig and her brother Porter.

Georgia Festival of Trees Executive Director Angie Ulibarri poses with Penny the Pink Pig and her brother Porter.

Credit: Georgia Festival of Trees

An Atlanta tradition returns this year with Penny the Pink Pig debuting at the Georgia Festival of Trees.

The pig-themed ride is the successor to Prisicilla, the original Pink Pig that debuted in 1953 at the Rich’s Department store in downtown Atlanta.

Festival Executive Director Angie Ulibarri said since the original ride closed many people have asked her when it would return.

“It’s just this feeling of nostalgia,” she said. “You could tell it was a very important part of their childhood, and it was something that they miss. It ended. I think they retired her in 2021, I believe, and so people really were missing that part of Christmas.”

The festival, which opens Nov. 23, will also include games, a tree auction and entertainment including performers like Head Elf Waffles McSnowflake.

He said he’s met people who have four or five generations of people who have ridden the Pink Pig.

“We met one lady and she was so wonderful,” Mc Snowflake said. “We told her that the Pink Pig was coming back and she started crying. She remembered when she went with her grandmother so many years ago and it was a very special experience.”

Rides on the Pink Pig will cost $5. Money raised at the festival through the auction will go towards raising awareness and prevention around human trafficking in Georgia.

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