The 2003 grand final, eventually won by Otago-Southland finalist Robert Kempthorne, was dogged by power shortages caused by the storm.
"The highlight was probably getting through the grand final with lightning hitting the building, rain pouring on the roof, everything going berserk," Mr Hopkins recalled.
He was charged with keeping the audience in the Hawkes Bay Opera House engaged and interested "for so long under such awful circumstances". Not only did they get through it, but the audience enjoyed it, he said.
Other highlights included "just going to magic little spots you'd never go to otherwise" and the relationships and friendships forged.
The veteran humorist, author and columnist and now Waitaki deputy mayor has been involved with the contest since the early 1990s but is stepping down after this week's grand final in Masterton.
He has only ever missed one regional final.
His replacement is Craig Wiggins, who has been slowly easing into the role since the grand final launch in Masterton last year.
Originally from a 300ha sheep and beef farm at Raetihi, Mr Wiggins now lives near Ashburton on a 28ha horse training and dairy grazing property. He is a rodeo announcer and has also been a jet sprints commentator.
Mr Hopkins admitted the conclusion of the grand final would be "a bit sad" although he never dreamed, when he took the job on, that it would last so long.
He became involved with the contest after a call from Ray Lew, the then marketing manager for Skellerup.
Skellerup was then the contest's major sponsor - it is now The National Bank - and Mr Lew was endeavouring to give it a wider appeal.
It was interesting watching many of the contestants go on to highly visible and prominent careers. However, when he was meeting the children of former contestants, it did make him think "maybe it's time".
He was also kept busy with his duties as a Waitaki district councillor and deputy mayor.