CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Theravada Dhamma Society of Iowa located in Marshalltown will celebrate the finished Buddha image taking two years to complete on Sunday.

One of the largest images of Buddha in the United States has been constructed in Marshalltown with a celebration to follow.

Theravada Dhamma Society of Iowa in Marshalltown is holding a ceremonious celebration marking the completion of a 18-foot-tall and 12-square-foot wide image of Buddha, which took two years to finish.

“We’re expecting at least 1,000 people,” Theravada Dhamma Society of Iowa liaison Tay Tun said. “It’s going to be huge.”

The Sunday event will begin with a religious session from 10 a.m. to noon, with singers and dancers from a wide range of ethnic groups to perform beginning at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the latest.

The event is free, open to the public and takes place at 2942 240th Street in Marshalltown.

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Contact Trevor Babcock at 641-753-6611 ortbabcock@timesrepublican.com.