SALISBURY — The Scoville Memorial Library kicked off the Fall Festival with a baa on Friday evening, Oct. 9, hosting an outdoor movie screening with live sheep among the guests.
About 100 people gathered in the courtyard behind the library to watch “The Sheep Detectives,” most bundled up for the chilly weather and equipped with folding chairs and blankets.
The sheep came from Le Petit Ranch in Sheffield, a nonprofit organization that specializes in animal-assisted activities at libraries, schools, nursing homes and other settings.
Having brought sheep to the library before, the Le Petit Ranch crew quickly set up temporary fencing. Before the movie began, children and adults carrying bags of sheep snacks visited the animals inside the enclosure.
Admission was free, and attendees received tickets for a complimentary box of candy and a bag of popcorn.
Rob and Mary Seymour of Ancramdale, New York, arranged the screen, projector and popcorn machine.
As darkness fell, the refreshment table was moved from the library doors toward the parking lot to make room for more seating.
The unusual evening became even more memorable when the real sheep began talking back to their on-screen counterparts.
Library director Karin Goodell surveyed the scene with quiet satisfaction.
“I’m so pleased we have such a good turnout,” she said.
