HERMANN, Mo. (AP) -- The eastern Missouri city of Hermann will honor its namesake by unveiling a statue of the German warrior as part of an extended weekend celebration.

Events recognizing the city's German heritage began Wednesday and continue through Sunday.

On Thursday, a bronze statue of the warrior Arminius will be dedicated at Hermannplatz at the south end of the Kit Bond Missouri River bridge.

Arminius -- also known as Hermann -- defeated a Roman army in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest.

German settlers lured by the promise of religious freedom and ample land flocked to the region around the Missouri town in the 19th century.