LACONIA — Fueled by warm weather, Bike Week moved into high gear for its closing weekend with huge numbers gathering in Weirs Beach and no major trouble reported.

Organizers, merchants and attendees said the numbers for the 89th annual event are higher than in recent years and they attribute part of that to the weather.

Since the event started last Saturday, there have been fewer than 12 hours of rain. The forecast calls for a sunny weekend with warm temperatures.

While there are no official numbers, it is estimated that about 250,000 visitors come at some point during the nine-day event and pump as much as $200 million into the economy.

In years past, when police dealt with drunken, bawdy men shouting on the sides of roads and traffic moving glacially, there were more visitors.

Crowds of the past were known to be rowdy, but officials say that seems to have changed. Arrests, which used to be in the range of 500 to 600, are fewer than 100 this year.

For Laconia Police Capt. William Clary, a longtime veteran of the area, things are going smoothly this year.

“Traffic's moving. There was no major activity to speak of, a couple (driving while intoxicated) arrests, and that was it,” he said Wednesday at his daily news briefing.

New Hampshire State Police Capt. Scott Sweet called the week “uneventful,” but due to the continued beautiful weather, “We anticipate crowds will increase,” and the state police roster is ramping up to match demand.

His message to Bike Week visitors is simple: “Don't drink and ride,” he said. “We look forward to a safe and happy weekend.”

Laconia Fire Chief Kenneth Erickson noted that Bike Week is a big party, but he has seen very few problems.

He has done the math and said the tents and bars in Laconia alone can handle around 15,000 people.

When you consider the population of the city is 16,000, that is a large influx of visitors.

Erickson provided an example in the Broken Spoke Saloon, a local bar and grill. Typically, there is seating for about 300 people. For Bike Week, there's capacity for 3,400.

Vendors for everything from beer and ice to portable bathrooms flood the region this weekend. But workers at the Meredith state liquor store said they were not as busy as in years past.

Perhaps because the weather had visitors outside riding. Many took advantage of blue skies on Thursday by climbing Mount Washington Auto Road, which was closed to four-wheeled vehicles.

Just a short Harley ride away in North Conway, the streets were busy Thursday with traffic from the Rally in the Valley.

Though not booming, attendance at the dueling events is doing well, organizers say.

Charlie St. Clair, executive director of Laconia Motorcycle Week said attendance is up from most recent years. Organizers knew attendance would be fine because of bookings at local hotels and lodges.

“Before the rally started, people had made their plans in advance,” he said, the weather only added to the local traffic. “We are very pleased,” St. Clair said.

With a weekend forecast of highs in the 70s and sunny skies, merchants, police and visitors aren't complaining.

ptracy@unionleader.com