It was the photo op of the year for local Red Sox fans.

The 2007 World Series trophy stood on display at Harold Alfond Sports Arena at the University of Maine on Monday afternoon. Hundreds of fans, perhaps more than a thousand, came to view the gold, silver and platinum prize and have their photo taken beside it.

The event was free and open to the public.

Michelle and Bill Harmon of Milo brought their 5-month-old daughter, Marissa Fenway Harmon, to take a family photo with the trophy. Marissa’s parents gave her that middle name to commemorate their favorite baseball park.

“We call her little Fenway,” Michelle Harmon said, holding her daughter’s Red Sox baby blanket as the family waited in line for half an hour to see the trophy. Bill Harmon sported a leather Red Sox jacket and an enormous grin as they moved to the front of the line.

University of Maine freshmen Meredith Cherry of Machias, and Tina Beal of Beals Island, both 19, braved the frigid walk across campus to see the trophy.

“We’re big Red Sox fans,” Cherry said.

Beal said seeing the trophy was worth the hour-long wait inside the arena.

Throughout the afternoon, the line to view the trophy wrapped around the inside perimeter of the building and briefly stretched outside into the parking lot, according to Red Sox security supervisor John McDermott. Many people popped their heads in just to catch a quick glimpse of the trophy, which sat atop a table in the lobby.

“It’s an honor to be here with the trophy in a building that is named for and dedicated to Harold Alfond,” McDermott said. “He was a wonderful man.”

A number of fans also snapped photos of McDermott’s enormous ruby, sapphire and diamond 2004 World Series ring, a gift to him from the Red Sox.

McDermott accompanied the trophy from Boston to Bangor. The trophy was cloaked in a bag from its maker, the famous jewelry store Tiffany & Co., and had its very own seat on the airplane, McDermott said.

When it arrived in Bangor on Monday morning, the trophy was displayed for members of the Maine National Guard and families of soldiers in Iraq. After its appearance in Orono, it was the centerpiece for WZON radio’s annual Hot Stove Baseball Night at the Bangor Civic Center.

The 30 flags that adorn the trophy represent the 30 teams in Major League Baseball. This was the 2007 World Series trophy’s second visit to Maine. On Dec. 14, it paid a visit to Portland.

aravana@bangordailynews.net

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