Tight-Knit Town Plans Off-Road Ride, Live Music and Raffle in Support of One of Its Own
It’s been said that “If Jimmy Buffet were born in the desert, this is where he’d hang out,” and anyone who’s kicked up their boots at the Cleator Bar & Yacht Club after a long day on the road or the trail likely had the pleasure of meeting Tina Barnhardt, the unofficial “First Lady of Cleator.”
As the heart and soul of the operation, the bartender and bar manager’s warm smile and friendly banter have made many a visitor feel welcome, but now, after a series of significant health issues including a heart attack, it’s time for the community Tina has served so faithfully to step in and return the favor.
The Cleator Bar & Yacht Club, which welcomes visitors from all over the world to experience its special slice of the Old West, now invites friends, locals, loved ones and anyone else whose lives Tina has touched to take part in “Tina’s 9 Lives Run,” a fundraising event set for Saturday, April 26 in and around Cleator, which is north of Black Canyon City off Interstate 17 en route to Crown King and accessible by the Bloody Basin exit.
Funds raised during the event will go toward Tina’s mounting medical expenses, giving her one less thing to worry about while she works to recover and reclaim her spot behind the world’s greatest dive bar in the world’s greatest ghost town.
The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a Turkey Creek off-road ride, with supporters meeting at the intersection of Maggie Mine Road and Old Black Canyon Highway before making their way to Cleator. The party then continues back at the bar, a place packed with character and nostalgia.
While it’s a long way away from any body of water, it more than delivers in terms of atmosphere, with walls covered in dollar
bills, Jet Skis parked out back, a wide-open outdoor area made for live music and meet-ups, and quirky, photo-worthy touches adorning every corner.
The Bradshaw Brothers will take the stage ahead of a 3 p.m. raffle, and supporters will enjoy pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad and chips compliments of Crown Public House in Downtown Phoenix. Attendees can also bring potluck-style snacks, dishes and desserts to share, with parking for trucks and trailers available in the dirt lot located off of Maggie Mine Road.
“Tina’s not your typical bartender – she’s an Arizona original,” said Jason Campbell, part of the group that owns Cleator. “We’ve watched her pour her heart into this place for years, and she’s the first one to take care of us when we could use a little kindness. Now, it’s our turn to do the same.”
Those who are unable to attend the fundraiser, but still wish to support Tina and her recovery may do so through a GoFundMe created to help alleviate the cost of Tina’s medical expenses and other bills that have accumulated while she’s been unable to work behind the bar.
More than just a fundraiser, Tina’s 9 Lives Run will be a full-scale celebration of the woman who has kept spirits high and glasses full for years.
The Cleator Bar & Yacht Club long ago cemented itself more than just a stop on a map, and soon, it’ll serve as the backdrop for something even more meaningful as the community comes together in support of one of its own.
For more about the Cleator Bar & Yacht Club and the upcoming Tina’s 9 Lives Run, follow Cleator Bar & Yacht Club on Facebook or visit CleatorBarandYachtClub.com.