Saló de la Infància i la Joventut Draws Record 2,000 Kids in Encamp

Nearly 2,000 children and young people attended the first leg of the 31st Saló de la Infància i la Joventut at Encamp's Complex Esportiu i Sociocultural, marking a 10% rise in participation compared to last year.

The event, which wrapped up its four-day run in Encamp over the weekend, drew an average of around 500 visitors per day, excluding accompanying family members, according to Nelson Damas, the parish's youth technician. Numbers peaked closer to 700 on the final day, with the opening slightly slower due to the holiday bridge. Organisers described the turnout as meeting or exceeding targets, with some activities reaching full capacity for smooth operations.

Feedback from satisfaction surveys was overwhelmingly positive, earning an "excellent" rating from Damas. Most attendees hailed from Andorra, including a majority from Encamp and groups from parishes like Canillo—such as a party of 40 children on the last day. Tourists, mainly from Spain and France, also boosted crowds, particularly over Saturday and Sunday.

Standout attractions included a new 7D cinema—a pilot feature that ran non-stop with 200 to 300 daily screenings—and a sensory show tailored for babies aged 0-3, which families praised highly. A 6D cinema set up outdoors also proved popular, accommodating 5-7 people per 3-4 minute session and serving about 200 visitors daily. The programme catered to ages 0-17, leaving participants delighted.

The Saló now shifts to Pas de la Casa from 2-4 January, where organisers anticipate lower attendance but plan to replicate the format using available spaces. Some outdoor elements like inflatables or arcade machines may remain behind, but most activities will transfer. Damas called the overall balance "extremely positive," noting the event's growing status as a nationwide draw rather than just a local Encamp initiative.