Japanese band from Quesnel’s sister city to perform at Billy Barker Days

A band from Quesnel’s sister city Shiraoi, Japan, will perform at Billy Barker Days for the first time. The Sheries, formed 45 years ago in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, will travel to [...]

Japanese band from Quesnel’s sister city to perform at Billy Barker Days Published 11:17 am Thursday, July 16, 2026 A band from Quesnel’s sister city Shiraoi, Japan, will perform at Billy Barker Days for the first time. The Sheries, formed 45 years ago in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, will travel to Quesnel for Billy Barker Days, marking their first overseas performance and a new milestone in the long-standing sister-city relationship between the two communities.

“We were formed 45 years ago. The same year that Quesnel City and Shiraoi Town became sister cities,” band member Toshi wrote in an email. The group was originally formed by six music lovers who were also amateur radio enthusiasts.

Over the years, several members have passed away, leaving only two original members. “Since then, several members have passed away, and currently, only Toshi and Hide remain from the original members,” Toshi wrote. Current members include Toshi, a former Shiraoi town fire chief; Hide, a truck driver; Tetsu, who is self-employed; and Chiharu, a Shiraoi town hall employee.

The band said this will be their first time performing outside Japan. “We have no experience performing outside of Hokkaido or Japan. This will be our first overseas performance,” Toshi wrote in an email.

Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull said the visit began after the group performed for him during a trip to Shiraoi last year. “Last time we were over there, they put on a little concert for us,” Paull said. “I casually mentioned (coming to Quesnel for a concert) to them, and I think before the evening was out, they sounded pretty committed.”

Paull said the invitation quickly turned into a plan for Billy Barker Days. “I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great if they were in the Billy Barker Days parade and on stage for our 50th Billy Barker Days, and so I casually mentioned it to them,” he said. “Long story short, they’re coming for Billy Barker Days, and they said that they would come on one condition: that they could all stay at my house.”

The group is expected to arrive Thursday afternoon and depart Monday. They will also attend the rodeo, visit the beer gardens, and experience what one member described as “Canadian junk food.” Paull said the band will perform during the festival at LeBourdais Park’s Shiraoi Friendship Stage, where a Japanese flag will be flown throughout the weekend.

“I’m feeling very, very proud of the fact that I’m able to do this,” he said.