If the weather is less than stellar on August 28 and 29 at the Lincoln Balloon Festival, Mother Nature may have to bear the wrath of Darth Vader!

The dark character that dominates the Star Wars series will make an appearance as this year's special shape balloon sponsored by the city of Lincoln. The balloon stands 86 feet tall, 69 feet wide, and 78 feet deep. It measures 106,000 cubic feet when fully inflated, and weighs 705 pounds.

The special shape was announced by the Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce on Friday after conducting a contest where entrants made a guess at the shape based on hints provided by the Chamber. The winner of that contest was Lindsay McClellan.

Photo provided by the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce
(Click on image for larger version)

Karen Liesman, Customer Service Representative at the Rick Hamm Insurance Agency, retired Friday, July 31, 2015. She had worked for State Farm for 18 years. Karen said she plans to be a “bum” the first month and then find a job working a couple of days a week. A number of clients stopped in to express well wishes for her retirement or sent flowers and gifts. Karen shared one of her cookies with someone from a local newspaper. That person, wanting to make sure the gift was appetizing, selflessly took a bite. Karen had a “good cookie” kind of day.

A camera shy Karen didn't want to have her picture taken, but she was very proud of the lovely bouquet of flowers she received and said she'd rather see those in Lincoln Daily News.

Photo by Roy Logan      (Click on image to enlarge)

Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) slides safely into second base as Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (2) applies the tag during the ninth inning at Miller Park.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports              [click on photo for larger image]