For the first time the blues tram will run through Bendigo next weekend and is part of a series leading up to and including the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival in November.

The idea took about 12 months to become an actuality for Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival committee member Julius Porlai.

“I think this idea is unique to Bendigo and we want it to continue on,” he said. “Everyone has been extremely helpful in getting this to happen right.”

Mr Porlai said it was surprising the idea had not been done before.

“There are a couple of guys down the tramways that wanted something like this to run on New Year’s Eve,” he said.

“To do it as a standalone thing or a once-off wouldn’t work.

“It has to be part of this festival. I don’t want it to be a novelty, I want it to be another great venue in Bendigo to hear music.”

Bendigo musician Talisa Jobe said she was excited to be part of the first Bendigo Blues Tram. “It’s great to be asked, but it’s going to be interesting to see how things are set up,” she said.

“There’s no reason why it shouldn’t go off without a hitch.”

The debut run of the Bendigo Blues Tram will take place next Saturday, September 22, at 2pm. Tickets cost $29 and can be purchased from the Visitor Centre on 5434 6060.

Other dates include October 27 at 2pm, November 9 at 7pm, November 10 at 2pm and 8pm and November 11 at 1pm and 8pm. Tickets for the November shows will be $65.

To read more on the Bendigo Blues Tram see WeekEnder in tomorrow’s Bendigo Advertiser. ?