"Days" of Their Lives

One good, and unobtrusive, measure of which ethnic groups are still widely recognized as having a distinct identity in this area is the list of "nationality days" that are put on by Kennywood Park, the classic old amusement park in the Pittsburgh area. The list is interesting for who it includes and who it doesn't. Here it is, from their current newspaper ad:

Irish
Italian
Slovak
Serbian
Greek
Byzantine (how this differs from Greek I have no idea)
Slovene
Hungarian
Polish
Scottish
Jewish
Croatian

The only real surprise for me, other than the Byzantine question, is "Scottish". Is there really a prominent Scottish ethnic group in this area? Not that I know of. But they do have colorful costumes, loud bagpipes, and amusing athletic contests like haggis-tossing. On the other hand, where are the Ukrainians? This area is full of their churches. And there was, at one time, a substantial German community here -- but I guess they've all been absorbed by now (as have the Scots, for that matter).

But notice, if you will, that all of these groups are extremely "white". There are no Hispanics, no African-Americans, no Indians (of either type)... no Orientals. And certainly in terms of "Pittsburgh creds" the African-Americans have to rank as high as many of the white ethnic groups. But maybe it's only the old-time European ethnic groups who are even interested in having a "day" at the local amusement park. Or maybe the park management is just assuming the others wouldn't be interested. In any case, the summer will undoubtedly pass without lawsuits or other untoward incidents. Isn't it a good thing that the park isn't managed by the government!