About a hundred BC Lions fans turned out Sunday afternoon to get autographs from Lions quarterback Travis Lulay and kicker Paul McCallum, and have their pictures taken with the legendary trophy during a brief stopover in Maple Ridge.

Many supporters brought along ball caps, jerseys, flags, footballs, and other keepsakes to be autographed during the one-hour visit at The ACT.

Others walked away proud owners of a new autographed team photo. And yet others had a professional photographer take their picture with the Grey Cup.

McCallum, also a Maple Ridge realtor, was proud to bring the Grey Cup back to the community for its third visit since the BC Lions defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-23 on Nov. 27 at BC Place.

After losing their first five games, the Lions won 13 of the next 15 games on their way to a Grey Cup victory, and McCallum and Lulay both thanked local fans for sticking by them in the good and bad times.

This visit was coordinated through MLA Marc Dalton, who was present for the visit, along with Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin and Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters.

The Sunday event marked the second of 15 public events being held in communities throughout B.C. to allow families, football fans, and sports history buffs alike a chance to see the cup and meet members of the Lions team.

"The Grey Cup has long been known as the 'people's cup' and it is with tremendous pride that we embark on this province-wide tour," said Dennis Skulsky, Lions president and CEO.

"As six-time Grey Cup champions coming off an emotional title win at home for the second time in franchise history, this tour celebrates what the BC Lions value most, the support of fans across this great province."

In advance of stopping at The ACT, the Grey Cup entourage was at Lougheed Town Centre, and wrapped up the day with a visit to the Chilliwack YMCA.

Other stops in the tour are expected to include visits to Oak Bay, Colwood, Comox, Kelowna, Kamloops, Williams Lake, Prince George, and three stops in Surrey to round out the tour on Saturday.

The Lions' win was only the fourth time in the 99-year history of the Grey Cup that a home team has won the trophy. The Lions are the only team to have accomplished this feat twice, and fans watching the cup being brought in applauded when the accomplishment was discussed in a brief presentation.

For more information about the tour, people can visit www.bclions.com.

For those who had pictures taken with the Grey Cup on Sunday, during it's brief stopover in Maple Ridge, those photos are available for free download at www. Yourcup.ca.

rhooper@mrtimes.com