BOOTHBAY — Orne’s Candy Store’s ninth annual International Rock Skipping Contest starts with on-thespot registration at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Boothbay Harbor Foot Bridge parking lot.

The first rock will be thrown at 10 a.m.

All proceeds benefit the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.

The contest — which is open to kids of all ages, regardless of their prowess in throwing rocks — is part of the history of the Webster family, owners of Orne’s since 1960, according to a release.

Participants should bring their own skipping rocks — organizers suggest at least seven — and a “rock-skipping moniker.” “You can’t skip without it, and you might not like the one we make up for you,” the release states.

Competition will be split into categories for girls 12 and younger; boys 12 and younger; females 13 and older; and males 13 and older. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $1 for children.

Orne’s Candy Store will provide prizes for participants, and winners. Everyone who enters the competition gets a rock candy on a stick.

The winner in each category gets “the thrill of victory,” plus a pound of Orne’s Rocky Road Fudge, a trophy created by Arthur Webster and their names added to the “chronicles of rock skipping legends,” a new listing that is displayed at the candy store all summer.

Advance online registration is available at www.ornescandystore.com.

For more information, call 633-2695.