For as long as she can remember, Natalie Tyre has dreamed that, one day, she’d be lucky enough to attend Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.

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After being stuck inside for over a year, Tyre said she decided this was the year she would see the Midsummer classic in Atlanta. Then, in April, the league announced the game was moving from the Braves’ new Truist Park to Coors Field in downtown Denver. 

Luckily for Tyre, she hadn’t booked a plane ride, reserved a hotel room or bought a game ticket. Now, all she needed to do was call her sister, Noelle, who lives in Parker.

“I’m just so excited,” Tyre said. She was clad in Atlanta Braves apparel from head to toe on the 16th Street Mall on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’ve just always wanted to go to an All-Star Game, or just be there with the rest of the crowd and people and see all these different players.”

Tyre joined thousands of locals and out-of-town visitors in downtown Denver Tuesday afternoon as they waited for baseball’s biggest and brightest stars to take the field.

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Some of those strolling around downtown took the opportunity to experience the final day of Play Ball Park, an interactive fan experience at the Colorado Convention Center. 

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Others ate, drank and listened to live music, dressed in their team colors. Swarms fans in St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers and, of course, Rockies apparel could be seen.

Some, like Anthony Faz of San Antonio, Texas, and his two friends, took in all Denver has to offer.

“We decided to go to the game yesterday morning, so we just got here a few hours ago, and we’re just trying to see everything we can before the game,” said Faz, who sported a New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter T-shirt. 

As the bars and restaurants near the field and McGregor Square neared capacity, the only reminders of the pandemic were some patrons wearing masks, officials on the street handing out Lysol wipes and a COVID-19 testing site set up along the 16th Street Mall.

Shenan Pordon of Leadville said she was worried about a potential outbreak popping up after the five-day All-Star festivities, but she was hopeful everyone was still doing their part.

“We’re washing our hands, using hand sanitizers and doing everything we can to stay safe, so hopefully everyone else is too,” Pordon said.

Pordon made the impulsive decision Tuesday morning to buy three tickets for herself and her two children, Declan and Maverick. It was their very first game together as a family.

“It feels good to be back out in public, socialize and interact with others,” she said. 

To Tyre, the chance to cross something off her bucket list — and cheer for the National League — while spending time with her sister was a blessing after the last year.

“I’m just grateful to be outdoors and just enjoy being around (people) while enjoying a favorite pastime,” Tyre said. “I’m just grateful.”