Don Snyder of Boothbay Harbor has grown a giant pumpkin for Columbus Day weekend Damariscotta Pumpkinfest.

The giant pumpkin is also being grown as a charitable effort for the benefit of Minnehaha, the firemen's fund of the Boothbay Harbor Fire Department. Friends from the Minnehaha Fund will take the pumpkin to the weigh-off in Damariscotta on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The public can help grow the funds. Pledges can be by the pound, i.e. a penny a pound or a flat rate minimum of $5. Pledges or checks can be made out to the Minnehaha Fireman’s Fund and sent to the Snyders at P.O. Box 242, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575. The funds will be equally distributed to the fund and Pumpkinfest.