There will be lots of crafts, music, barbecued chicken and rocking during an upcoming fundraising benefiting The Blind Center in Washington.

The center’s ninth-annual Rocking Chair Rock-a-Thon and Area Craft Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21, according to the center’s director, Sally Moler.

A haven for blind and visually impaired people in the area, the center depends on such fundraising efforts to keep its programs up and running.

“We are a nonprofit organization, and in the past this has been our biggest fundraiser,” said Deborah Waters, The Blind Center’s assistant director. “This is the one fundraiser that the clients can actually participate in.”

Those clients, for whom the center is often a home away from home, recruit sponsors to pledge money. The clients then spend the day of the event rocking away in rocking chairs. Sponsors who pledge $50 or more may see their names posted on the center’s “wall of fame.” If pledges are received by Thursday, their names will be listed in the program, as well.

Businesses and individuals are invited to sign on as sponsors. For more information, call 252-946-6208 or email theblindcenter@aol.com.

“We appreciate the community’s support through the years,” Moler said.

Along with the rocking, the event will feature barbecued-chicken plates available for $7 each from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Roger and Diana Cates with Flippin’ for A Reason will prepare the meal. Throughout the day, area crafters will display and sell their wares, according to Waters. Among the items expected are quilts and afghans, jewelry, doll clothes, puppets, scented soaps and brooms.

Supporters of The Blind Center are urged to add these other fundraisers to their calendars: ice cream social, July 20; Autumn Area Craft Show, Sept. 7-8; pancake-and-sausage dinner, Oct. 19; and the Cris Cringle Craft Show, Dec. 7-8.

The Blind Center is located on the corner of Harvey and East Third streets in Washington. Admission to Saturday’s events is free.