Back then, it was part of the Bougainvillea Festival, and Graetz's tradie dad would lend his truck to be transformed into a parade float each year.
The event has since evolved into the Darwin Festival, and Graetz has been appointed its next director, making him the only First Nations artistic director of a major city arts festival and the event's first homegrown leader.
"It's really exciting and a bit daunting, but I'm just so happy that I can be a locally born person leading that festival," he said.
Graetz will take the helm for the 2027 event and program its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2029.
The Darwin Festival needed to balance events and shows locals wanted to see, with territory culture that attracted interstate visitors, he said.
"The thing I'm really passionate about is ensuring local artists are in the spotlight, and really showcasing our incredible talents," he said.
Graetz has worked in the arts sector in Australia and internationally for three decades, founded the Garrmalang Festival, and was the co-artistic director of Sydney's World Pride event in 2023.
The Darwin Festival takes place during the territory's peak tourist season, with flights and accommodation persistent challenges during this period.
"That's the big conversation that we're going to have to have at the executive level, really talking to government about how can we make it accessible for people to come to Darwin," said Graetz.
The festival was supported by the territory government and City of Darwin but, as with the rest of the sector, funding was a challenge as production costs escalate, he said.
The 2026 Darwin Festival features the start of The Drones' Australian tour, concerts by TISM and Paul Dempsey, and Big Noter, the punk alter ego of rapper Adam Briggs.
The theatre offering includes Back to Bilo, Saplings by Australian Theatre for Young People, and The Nanna Effect by Tracks Dance Company.
The Darwin Festival runs August 5-23.
7°C