"This is an enjoyable and interesting book that helps to bridge the gap between the academy and practitioner. It is a significant contribution to the study of community events in urban settings." -- Harris Beider, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University "Delgado is easily among our most productive scholars. With this book, he brings urban celebrations into community practice as a subject of study and field of practice and, in so doing, provides us with another tool for our toolkit." -- Barry Checkoway, School of Social Work, University of Michigan

Communal celebrations bring out the best in us, offering a place for people to come together and take a break from the routines of daily life. They are a vital aspect of city life and are increasingly popular as an urban development strategy.

Celebrating Urban Community Life is a comprehensive guide to understanding and enhancing communal celebrations as a source of community capital. Drawing on case studies from New York, San Francisco, and Toronto, Melvin Delgado discusses the many ways in which fairs, festivals, and parades can enhance communal life. Providing a framework for social scientists, urban planners, and social workers to analyse and foster celebrations that benefit urban populations, the book is a valuable resource for those with an interest in this growing area of academic and practical interest.

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‘This well documented, interesting book makes a valuable contribution to social work, sociology, and anthropology of urban community dynamics…. Highly recommended.’