PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (WTOK) – ESPN made its return to the Neshoba County Fair for the first time since 2005, as part of its “SportsCenter: 50 States in 50 Days,” on Tuesday.

SportsCenter Host, Shae Cornette, spent Monday and Tuesday roaming the fairgrounds, participating in some Fair Activities, eating Fair food, riding some rides, and meeting tons of fairgoers.

“I mean, we’re literally… We’re touring the United States… ‘50 states in 50 days’ is exactly that. We’re going to 50 states in exactly 50 days, back-to-back to back. Every SportsCenter anchor’s got different assignments. Some have more states than others, and we’re going coast to coast. Like, I’ve done South Dakota, Wisconsin, and I’m here in Mississippi. I’m going to Maine next. Literally, I’ve covered lots of ground. It’s just been one cool thing after the next. And in each state, we’re trying to find something that’s local that means something to that state, that people come out and it really shows the flavor and the vibe of where that is. And so that’s why we’re here at the Neshoba County Fair,” Cornette said.

Cornette added that several things surprised here when visiting Mississippi’s Giant Houseparty.

“I didn’t really know what to expect when I got here. I will say, it’s exceeded my expectations. For one, the housing situation that these cabins around here have been around in generations and generations of family members, and the fact that they’re only open 10 to 14 days of the year is so awesome to me,” Cornette said.

“It’s very tight-knit, like a family. People come here to see friends they don’t see all year long. And then there are so many different things between the food, obviously rides and games… that I’m accustomed to… The horse racing, the buggy races, the livestock, pretty cow contests… Like there’s just something for everyone from kids to adults to generations beyond that. It’s really something special, and I’ve really gotten to meet so many people that have been so welcoming and ‘try this’ or ‘experience that’ or ‘come with me here.’ That’s been really cool,“ Cornette added.

“SportsCenter: 50 States in 50 Days” began justy over a month ago, and they have less than 20 stops left on their tour across the country.

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