NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Let your curious side run rampant and explore the unknown with UFO and Bigfoot explorer Ronny LeBlanc on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. in the North Adams Public Library. 

 

"Einstein said, 'I have no special talent. I'm just really curious' and I think that humans are always curious. We're trying to learn, we're trying to figure things out. Our brain is designed to try to understand and comprehend things," LeBlanc said in a recent interview. 

 

The event provides an opportunity to interact with fellow paranormal enthusiasts, reference librarian Lisa Harding said. 

 

"I think first and foremost, people are having experiences with something that is not supposed to exist," LeBlanc said.  

 

"And they're having these experiences and encounters with other people by themselves, and they're happening all over the country. And this has been going on for hundreds of years." 

 

During the event, LeBlanc will show parts of his show, Travel Channel's "Expedition Bigfoot," now in its fourth season, and discuss the research that was included in his book "Monsterland: Encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot and Orange Orbs."

 

Harding agreed that events like these bring people together, adding that having the opportunity to learn about a topic from an experienced person can inspire them to explore the area. 

 

"I think this puts somebody in the same room with somebody that's doing it and has experience to share and that sort of lights a fire under you, to get out and maybe hike around here more and do more of this in search of the unknown," Harding said.  

 

The universe is filled with unanswerable questions like "why are we here and where are we going next." There are theories so the idea that there could be something more than just the everyday is exciting for people, LeBlanc said. 

 

The space allows people to come together to share their experiences with the unknown without the fear of stigma or ridicule, Leblanc said, adding he's had his share from skeptics. 

 

"I think that's always really interesting to hear people's stories and then oftentimes people have had those same types of encounters in those same areas. I think it's just good to learn and keep an open mind," LeBlanc said. 

 

"At the end of [of the event] I hope that they would have some more curiosity about the subject but hopefully, I've enlightened them on the idea that there are things that are going on just because we're not seeing things on TV or reading them in the newspaper doesn't mean they're not happening."

 

People are naturally curious about what they don't know, he said. Topics like this can be explored from anywhere whether it be from the comfort of their own home or going out to explore the woodland areas in an effort to be part of the uncovering making it accessible to anyone, LeBlanc continued. 

 

The county has been known for its mystical side with many authors inspired by the forested mountains and fog that often rolls in early in the morning. 

 

Some historical destinations host tours in an effort to share spooky happenings with visitors brave enough to experience a haunting opportunity. 

 

"The county has had a long history of UFOs and Bigfoot and I think with the forest and everything that is around there's a lot of hiding places for something to live close by and go unnoticed for a long time," LaBlanc said.

 

"So I think it's just something that's really intriguing to people, the idea that this could potentially be real, and that's what the show has been trying to uncover and collect as evidence like DNA, something that science would stand up and take notice of."

 

Most people have to experience something themselves to believe in the paranormal so he wrote his book for the skeptic providing "as much evidence as possible" and "data that's been collected over this time." 

 

"I think we have to have an open mind, but most people have to experience for themselves if this is real or not, and so when people have a personal experience, it's a paradigm shift," he said.