This coming weekend, July 17 and 18, will be a big one for special events in the Seattle area – which means extra traffic on local roads and freeways. You may want to use Metro Transit to avoid some of the worst bottlenecks.

The Bite of Seattle food fest runs Friday through Sunday at the Seattle Center. Attendees are encouraged to use regular Metro routes to the festival, or use the two sets of special shuttles that Metro is operating to and from the festival. Visit the Bite website for festival info.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, downtown shuttles signed "Bite of Seattle" will operate non-stop service every 10 minutes northbound from Third Avenue and Pike Street to Fifth Avenue and Broad Street at the Seattle Center. Non-stop return service to downtown departs every 10 minutes southbound from Fifth Avenue and Broad Street. Regular fares will be collected when passengers board the shuttle downtown, but the return trip back downtown is free. On Saturday and Sunday, there is also special shuttle service to and from the Northgate Park-and-Ride via the Northgate Transit Center. Plus, there are more than a dozen regular Metro routes that serve Seattle Center every day.

From July 16-18, the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation will be holding its annual cultural celebration at Discovery Park in Magnolia. Metro is operating free shuttles between the main parking lot at Discovery Park, 3801 W Government Way, and the Daybreak Star Center starting at 11:30 a.m. each day. The shuttles connect with the rerouted Route 33 at the visitor center parking lot. Visit the Pow Wow website for more information about this event.

Other special events this weekend, include: the Bon Odori Festival in the International District (July 17-18); Central Area Community Festival (July 15-18); White Center Jubilee Days (July 17-18); and the Seafair Triathlon at Seward Park (July 18).

The Mariners will be at home playing Cleveland and Boston. As usual, Metro will offer its special Safeco Field service. And for horse-racing fans, there is the Pony Express service between downtown Seattle and Emerald Downs in Auburn.

On top of all that, there will be a four-day conference of governors from around the country at the Westin Hotel. Because of both conference and protest activities, Metro is anticipating some bus reroutes around the hotel Friday through Monday.