Stars wander through audience during 'Movies With Goats'

A major motion picture may bring thousands of people to stare at the stars on the big screen, but there's a place in Chapel Hill where the screen is an afterthought and the stars wander through the audience.

Posted 10:09 p.m. Aug 2, 2019 — Updated 10:09 p.m. Aug 2, 2019

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A major motion picture may bring thousands of people to stare at the stars on the big screen, but there's a place in Chapel Hill where the screen is an afterthought and the stars wander through the audience.

Spring Haven Farm in Orange County lets you watch outdoor movies while cuddling their baby goats.

“The goats seem to really touch people,” says farm owner Andrew Crihfield.

A large white sheet is mounted in the middle of the goat pen, and dozens of goats roam the area freely while guests set up chairs and blankets before the movie. A good crowd is about 125 people, Crihfield said.

“I feel good about what we're doing,” Crihfield says, “because after every movie, people come up to me and say, 'Thank you for doing this.'”

Kaitlin Keeler, 10, is one of those thankful for the opportunity to cuddle a goat.

“I really like them. They're adorable," she said.

Spring Haven Farm can't advertise which movie is playing due to a licensing agreement, but Crihfield says it doesn't matter.

“Nobody comes for the movie," he said.

Spring Haven Farm tried growing organic greens, but quickly found goats were the product the people wanted.

Crihfield is a former network engineer, and his wife is in residency becoming a medical doctor. The farm, and movies with goats, is his way of building a better world on the outskirts of Chapel Hill.

“It's a way of life. Our farm motto that I put on our shirts, in our signs and everything is, 'live free, live the farm life.'"

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