Vandals Damage St. Louis Renaissance Faire Buildings in Rotary Park

Vandals did more than $1,000 worth of property damage to buildings in Wentzville’s Rotary Park last week. The damage was reported to police Friday.

Capt. Kevin Pyatt said the amount of damage makes the case a felony. Wentzville Police still are investigating and tracking down building owners.

“There was spray paint damage and there was damage to buildings, broken spindles,” Pyatt said.

Buildings damaged include the Cigar Bar and the Caravan Traders. At a Park Board meeting Monday night, Parks Director Mary Jo Dessieux said that some doors had been kicked in and boards on stages were damaged and spray painted.

This is at least the second report of property damage to Renaissance Faire buildings, which are in a forested area of Rotary Park.

On Feb. 18, police responded to a report of minor damage, as a lock was broken off the building.

Renaissance Fair board member Mike Dinello said the area is vandalized from time to time. The buildings are owned by individual merchants.

“It’s in a public park and the majority of the grounds are open to the public,” Dinello said. “Usually, it’s juveniles. The police are taking care of it.”

He said the board is exploring using different security measures, but the members need to explore what they can do in a public park. Security cameras are a possibility, Dinello said.

“Lake Saint Louis parks have security cameras,” he said.

The Faire opens May 19 and runs every weekend through June 10.