Thousands Greet Stanley Cup in Hermosa Beach

Updated at 5:45 p.m. with additional photos and information from the day's event.

Thousands of hockey fans and curious onlookers lined Pier Avenue and packed into Pier Plaza on Monday morning as the city welcomed the Stanley Cup to Hermosa Beach for only the second official public appearance of cup since the Kings' victory parade in downtown Los Angeles on June 14.

The cup was accompanied by Kings center and Hermosa Beach resident Jarret Stoll for the public rally and trip through Hermosa.

Prior to the rally, the cup spent close to 45 minutes inside the where firefighters, police officers, city officials and those lucky enough to sneak inside were treated to personal photo opportunities with the iconic trophy.

"To take pictures with the cup, especially with our (fire) engine, it is pretty special," said HBFD acting Capt. Aaron Marks, who describes himself as a diehard Kings fan. "It is rare for anybody to get a Stanley Cup visit ... For a hockey town, this is a pinnacle sort of thing."

"It is amazing," said Kings fan Bill Bryan, who was one of the lucky few who gained entrance into the fire station. 

Bryan said he and his family drove more than 60 miles from Rancho Cucamonga to see the cup. "I have always wanted to see it ... I have been a hockey fan my whole life," he said shortly after placing his five-month-old child in the cup for a photo opportunity.

Hockey Hall of Fame's Mike Bolt, who is the official "keeper of the cup" and travels around the world with it, said that the reception to the Stanley Cup in Los Angeles has been immensely energetic. 

"(The cup) being here in the L.A. area, it has been unbelievable," said Bolt, who added that many celebrities in Los Angeles have also shown up to Stanley Cup events. "They are as in awe of the cup as anyone else. It is a huge celebrity."

Bolt had plenty of work to do overnight to prepare the cup for its appearance in Hermosa. 

According to Bolt, Stoll, who turned 30 yesterday, brought the 97-percent silver trophy to his birthday party where he drank beer and champagne from it. "I had to put (the cup) in the shower and give it a cold wash," Bolt said.

With a clean shine and lack of any noticeable beer residue, the cup, accompanied by Stoll, was paraded down Pier Avenue on top of Fire Engine 12 to Pier Plaza where thousands were gathered for a public rally.

Fans stood on top of nearby businesses to catch a better view as others held signs with sayings like "Jarret, you Stoll my heart."

"This makes it all worthwhile right here," Stoll said as he looked out at the crowd. "We love this area. We love Hermosa Beach," he said before receiving official recognition from the Hermosa Beach City Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

Stoll, who just signed a 3-year contract with the Kings, told the audience he wants the team's success to continue. "I didn't want to leave ... This is too much fun and I want to do it again," he said.

Following the rally, Stoll and the cup traveled north up the Strand in the back of a luxury convertible. Throngs of fans chased closely behind on foot and bicycle as police escorted the cup to the border with Manhattan Beach.

From there, the cup was brought to the Manhattan Beach Fire Department for a private ceremony with police, fire and city officials.