They spent hours under the sun, sitting on hard pavement or crushed against security fences along with hundreds of others.

But after all was said and done, thousands of teens saw their teen crushes, spoke to their idols and walked away with autographs ahead of the Much Music Video Awards.

But perhaps the best moment of the day for these fans was the moment they saw Justin Bieber step out of a limo on the red carpet.

All weekend long, the fervor outside 299 Queen was fueled by rumours that the pop sensation would be making a surprise appearance to support his girlfriend and MMVA co-host Selena Gomez.

Bieber, who hails from Stratford, Ont. hinted early this weekend on Twitter that he just might stop by the annual show.

On Saturday he retweeted a fans message saying "I have a big feeling that @justinbieber is gonna make a surpise appearance at the MMVAs tomorrow."

Beiber's appearance on the carpet was met with the loudest cheers of the night.

"I thought he wasn't going to come when he didn't appear with (girlfriend Gomez) on the red carpet," said one fan named Jen. "I'm dyyyyying!"

Fans had gathered outside and around 299 Queen St. West early Sunday morning, eager and determined to spot as many celebrities as possible.

"I'm soooo happy!!" said 13-year-old Tara after she got pop star Shawn Desman's autograph on the red carpet. She gleefully showed CP24.com her autograph books which also contained signatures from MMVA nominees Down With Webster and Simple Plan.

"Here, take a picture of this autograph, it's my favourite," she said, holding up Desman's signature.

Tara and her friends had been waiting at the red carpet since about 6:30 a.m. It's been well worth the wait she said.

Desman, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Gomez were just a few of the MMVA stars to take a special moment for fans, signing autographs and posing for a hug and photographs over the weekend during rehearsals for the MMVAs.

On Sunday afternoon, Sarah, 8, started cheering wildly when MMVA co-host and pop star Selena Gomez hit the stage for rehearsals.

After Gomez was done, she told CP24.com she's been waiting at the front of the stage with her mom since 8 a.m. for a peek at her favourite star.

Clutching a poster of Selena Gomez and peering over the security fence, Sarah said she's not going anywhere until the big show at 9 p.m.

Another group of young teens also waited around the Much Music building, since early Sunday, all for a chance to see Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga up close.

Only armed with cameras, pens and paper, the girls said they didn't think to bring water or food.

"We had to make sure we got a good spot in line," said 15-year-old Taveesha.

For other young women in line, the red carpet was more about good business than teen fantasies.

Good business

For the last two days, 22-year-old Laura has been waiting at the red carpet fence for a chance to give some of her artwork to her favourite artists.

On Saturday, Laura gave Selena Gomez a large painting.

"She loved it," said Laura. "At first she thought I wanted her to sign it. When I told her it was a present for her, she hugged me for like, 5 minutes."

On Sunday Laura came back armed with new goodies -- a hand-made coaster and a small painting she said she wants to give to Lady Gaga.

Rick Stiles, a Toronto entrepreneur, has also found a way to make the MMVAs an opportunity for business.

Stiles spent Saturday and Sunday walking through the crowds, selling purple, black and red headbands – each with a message to one of the artists – to fans.

At two for $5, fans were quick to snatch them up, immediately tying them around their heads.

"They're selling good, really good," Stiles said as he simultaneously served one anxious teen hoping for two "I love City and Colour" headbands.

Eric Maciejkow, owner of My Photo Cookie, didn't only use the MMVAs for business, he also used the opportunity to get his daughter and her friend closer to the stars

The three flew to Toronto from Winnipeg for a second year in a row to deliver 400 custom-made cookies to the MMVA stars' lounge.

After the work was done, the three lined up at 7 a.m. with other fans to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

At the end of the day, Maciejkow said he was thrilled with the trip.

"We met everyone, there wasn't anyone we didn't meet," he said with his daughter and friend in tow. "It's been great."

Here are some photos of the fandemonium.