Justin Verrill, left, and O’Neil Thorpe work on signs on Aug. 14 in preparation for this weekend’s Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The festival kicks off Friday morning with a 6 a.m. launch. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Dan Carroll questions lemonade stand proprietors Maddie Corson, 11, and her brother Madden, 9, on Aug. 14  before leaving a hefty tip for his cold cup of lemonade on Stevens Mill Road in Auburn. Asked why they set up the stand, Madden said, “We just want money because we don’t have any.” Maddie said she planned to spend her share on clothing and video games. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Omar Hassan, left, from the Cooperative Development Institute, answers questions Aug. 13 for U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, center, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Terry Cosby. Cosby was in Maine touring several farm locations and signed a state-level contribution agreement for a $411,000 grant to “expand climate resilience through urban agriculture soil remediation, implementation of conservation practices, and outreach.”  Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Chastity Johnson and Danny O’Neal work out Aug. 12 at the Fitness Court on Lincoln Street in Lewiston. Johnson says the couple has been coming to the court three times a week to exercise. “We end up walking afterward,” Johnson said, “and we love being outdoors.” O’Neal, who recently inspired Johnson to join him in the workouts, says he prefers it to any indoor gym. “It has everything you want to target out here. There’s good air, it’s not cluttered or crowded — I prefer it to an indoor gym,” O’Neal said.  Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Kids of all ages line up Aug. 12 for the clown bouncy house at the entrance of Pine Street during the 4th annual Pine Street Community Back2School Block Party. The block party, hosted by Community Credit Union and Webb’s Market, had free things for kids and adults, including free food, food trucks and balloon animals. Emma Meserve photo

Kyle McClintock of Cumberland helps her daughter, Whalen McClintock Reilly, 3, ride through the tall grass on Aug. 11 at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. McClintock says she and her daughter are headed to the start line to watch her husband, Drew Reilly, compete in the Mainely Gravel cycling race. McClintock says she would also be racing in the event, but parenting comes first. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bruce Byberg, center, and his crew inflate the Re/Max hot air balloon for display on Aug. 16  during the Lewison-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The Balloon Meister, who is responsible for making safety decisions, canceled the morning’s launch after thick fog inhibited visibility. Typically, balloons are only launched in the early morning or at dusk when air currents are most stable. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal) Andree Kehn/Sun Journal