Knights on horseback, artisan vendors and costumed revelers have taken over Rotary Park in Wentzville as the St. Louis Renaissance Festival marks its 28th season. The grounds at 2577 West Meyer Road are once again standing in for the 16th-century village of Petit Lyon, with the festival running weekends and offering an extra midweek opening for shoppers before the season wraps up.
According to stlrenfest.com, the festival has been building out that village at Rotary Park since 1999, and this year's run is billed as its 28th season. The site describes the event as offering immersive entertainment, artisan markets and hands-on experiences for all ages, with gates open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the show going on rain or shine. Festival-goers looking for details on tickets and scheduling can find them through the event's official website, per the same source.
Beyond the usual weekend crowds, the festival is adding a special Ladies and Lords Shopping Day on Monday, October 12, giving visitors a weekday option to browse the artisan stalls. The festival's own materials frame the event around medieval adventure, with characters, costumes and entertainment woven throughout the grounds as guests wander the immersive village setting.
Jousting, Vendors And Village Life
Explore St. Louis describes the festival's draw in simple terms: jousts, music, fine foods and wares, and a steady mix of old and new friends gathering under the autumn sky, as noted by explorestlouis.com. That mix of live performances, artisan vendors, food and drink has become the backbone of the festival's appeal for Wentzville-area visitors looking for something different on a fall weekend.
Costumed attendees are part of the scenery as much as the performers, with guests encouraged to show up dressed as heroes, villains or fantasy characters of their own choosing, according to KSDK. The station's sponsored coverage also points to jousting competitions held three times a day, at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., giving families a reliable anchor point to build a visit around.
A Decades-Long Tradition In Wentzville
The festival's roots at Rotary Park stretch back more than a quarter-century, with organizers tracing the current village setup to 1999, when the 16th-century scene of Petit Lyon first took shape on the grounds. That history is part of why the event has become a recurring fixture for the region each autumn, drawing repeat visitors alongside newcomers curious about the costumes, crafts and competitions on display.
For now, organizers are pointing festival-goers to their official website for tickets, schedules and any additional details needed to plan a trip to Rotary Park before the season winds down.
