Thousands of choppers and cruisers lined Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs on Saturday — polished chrome glinting in the sun — during the annual American Heat Motorcycle Weekend.

“This is the first time we've ever been here, and it's awesome,” said Bill Saunders, 44, who, accompanied by family, drove his motorcycle from Rancho Cucamonga.

The desert heat may have discouraged some from coming to the event Saturday afternoon when temperatures hit a high of 102 degrees — three degrees shy of the record high.

Nevertheless, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 bikers made the trip, Palm Springs police Sgt. Mitch Spike said.

Budget concerns reduced American Heat to two days from three days this year, but the economy also could have contributed to the crowd, said Randy Burke, manager of Nevada-based Roadshows Inc., which organized the event.

While there were plenty of dedicated bikers entering competitions and checking out booths filled with everything from clothes to custom seats, families with strollers and pets also filled the streets.

“People are spending more quality time with their friends and family close to home,” Burke said, adding that the free event downtown creates a family-friendly atmosphere. “They're just out enjoying their community together.”

Five-year-old Noah Baker-Aidukas wanted to see the motorcycles so badly he agreed to take an afternoon nap, his dad Eric Baker said.

“We try to come every year,” the Palm Springs resident said, as Noah chowed down on a hot dog, while his 2-year-old brother, Jake Baker-Aidukas, relaxed in his stroller.

Melinda Astran made the three-hour trip from Parker, Ariz., on her motorcycle, “just to get out of town and as an excuse to ride,” she said.

Palm Canyon Drive was closed to traffic from Alejo to Baristo roads — and will be through 9 p.m. today — but many downtown businesses were filled Saturday afternoon.

“We've been busy since six o'clock this morning,” said Bob Smith, bar manager at Peabody's Cafe, 134 S. Palm Canyon Drive. “We're all for the bike weekend.”

There were some arrests for public intoxication or drunken driving, but “nothing that we wouldn't normally have on the weekend,” Palm Springs police Lt. Dennis Graham said around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

“So far everything's peaceful and fairly quiet for the fact that we have a large event in town,” he said.