Dyersville residents, businesses getting ready for Field of Dreams Game

DYERSVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) - The streets of downtown Dyersville are already seeing more traffic as game day approaches Thursday night between The New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox at the Field of Dreams.

People like Tom Holmes, from Dyersville, said it doesn’t matter who’s suiting up to play.

“I can sit down and watch a ball game. I have no particular team,” Holmes said.

Holmes played baseball when he was younger and still follows the sport. Now, an actual Major League baseball game is not even five miles from his home.

“In fact, I have a granddaughter sitting here that plays for Wartburg, so it’s fun to watch them play. I’m excited,” Holmes said.

That’s the buzz in the city as people are just three days out. One family in town Monday, from Luxemburg, said they will be watching the game on TV Thursday.

“It’s great to have something new, exciting and bring more people to Dyersville,” Caitlyn Deutmeyer said.

“I thought there was going to be a lot of people here. I just knew it, a lot of people were going to be rushing in and rushing out and on Saturday we saw a lot of people waiting for the game,” Preston, Caitlyn’s son, said.

Darlene Frasher, the manager of the Palace Saloon, said they’re always busier during the summer, but their doors have been swinging open a lot more lately.

“It’s just gradually getting busier and crazier. The town is busy, and the traffic. It’s fun. People from all over the states are coming in so it’s quite an experience,” Frasher said.

This weekend, they put up their sports memorabilia throughout the restaurant. Frasher says it will be full staffing Thursday, and stocking up on beverages, but also limiting their menu.

“I’m excited and nervous. I don’t know what to expect so I guess that’s normal,” Frasher said.

However, Frasher is looking forward to this night, a first for Iowa. She’s no stranger to baseball either.

“I used to play. I was left field. They used to call me Willie Mays because I was so fast and could slug the ball,” Frasher said.

Just seeing the wide variety of people come in is what Frasher said she is most excited about and to be able to witness the game from the screens inside their saloon.

Frasher said they expect the streets, even here in downtown Dyersville, to be packed, so they’ll be using part of their street outside the side door for more space and entertainment.

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