The Bite begins at 11 a.m. today with a zany race through an obstacle course by the Seattle Center fountain, with prizes for top finishers.

Another fun event is the "Eat the Heat Challenge," in which contestants race to gobble five chicken wings smeared with hot sauce of increasing levels of intensity. $5 entry fee. Winners receive prizes from Argosy Cruises. "Heats" will take place near the Exhibition Hall at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. today and Sunday and at 1, 3, 6 and 8 p.m. tomorrow.

Restaurants at the Bite

With featured item and $2 taste

*new to Bite

Assaggio Ristorante (Italian) -- Fusilli bucati alla Puccini/Sorbet

Bahn Thai Restaurant* (Thai) -- Chicken curry or chicken peanut sauce/Phad Thai noodles

Bandoleone* (Latin) -- Cinnamon- and chili-marinated pork loin/Shrimp ceviche

Biringer Farms (Desserts) -- Strawberry and raspberry shortcake/Fudge brownie

Blu Water Bistro (bistro) -- Fish tacos/Guava lemonade

Cafe Loc (Vietnamese) -- BBQ pork combo/BBQ chicken and rice

Central Saloon (Cajun) -- Jambalaya/Red beans and rice

Chutneys Bistro (Indian) -- Ginger pesto masala fish/Tandoori chicken leg

Cucina! Presto* (Italian) -- Italian sausage sandwich/Chopped salad

Desert Fire* (Southwestern) -- Portabello and spinach quesadilla/Tortilla soup

Europa West* (Rustic European) -- House-cured pork loin/Small house-cured pork loin

The Frankfurter (German/American) -- Smoked Thai chicken sausage/Kids dog

F.X. McRory's Catering (Catering) -- Prime rib sandwich/Chowder

Gordon Biersch* (American) -- Garlic fries/Small garlic fries

Gyros Place* (Greek) -- Gyros/Stuffed grape leaves

Gyros World (Greek) -- Gyros/Hummus

Johnny's Fine Foods (American) -- Caesar salad/Small Caesar salad

Kabul Afghan Cuisine (Afghan) Kofta kebab/Mango ice cream

Kaleenka (Russian) -- Piroshky/Borscht

Milt's BBQ Express* (BBQ) -- Vegetarian sandwich/BBQ turkey drumettes

Mrs. B's (American) -- Hot fudge brownie and strawberry pound cake/Vanilla ice cream cone

New Orleans Creole Deli* (Creole/Cajun) -- Creole chicken drumettes/Jambalaya

Nick's Italian Restaurant (Italian/Greek) -- Gyros/Cheesecake

Pallino Pastaria* (Italian) -- Pasta in bread bowl/Pasta with red or white sauce

Pandasia (Pan-Asian) -- General Tso chicken plate/Potstickers

Pazzo's on Eastlake* (Italian) -- Mini deep-fried calzones/Vegetable or meat pizza slice

Pepe's Mexican Restaurant* (Mexican) -- Carnitas plate/Chicken and steak tacos

Philly's Best (American) -- Steak or chicken sandwich/steak or chicken salad

Piecora's New York Pizza (Brooklynese) -- Pizza slice/Focaccia

Ponti Seafood Grill (Seafood/NW fusion) -- Grilled salmon/Garlic mashed potatoes.

Porter's/Dixie's (BBQ) -- Beef brisket/BBQ beef, pork or chicken

Red Robin (American) -- Cheeseburger/Meatless burger

The Roasted Pepper* (American) -- Chicken gumbo wrap/Sorbet

Rock Bottom Brewery (American Pub) -- Tuscan chicken salad/BBQ ribs

Romeo's Pizza* (Italian/Greek) Pizza slice/Skordalia

Royal Thai Restaurant* (Thai/Asian) -- Garlic chicken and phad Thai/Garlic wing and Thai salad

Russian Piroshky Bazaar (Russian) -- Chicken shashlik/Borsht

Safeway China Express* (Chinese) -- Broccoli beef or General Tso chicken special/Rice bowl

Seabear Smokehouse (Seafood) -- BBQ salmon sandwich/Salmon chili

Southern Kitchen* (Southern) -- Seafood gumbo/Red beans and rice

Stuart Anderson's Black Angus Restaurant (Steakhouse) -- BBQ prime rib sandwich/Caesar salad

Susumu Japanese Steakhouse (Japanese) -- Sushi/Small sushi and yakisoba

Taqueria Tropical (Mexican) -- Burrito/Small burrito

Thai Heaven Restaurant (Thai) -- Chicken satay combo/Chicken satay

Toroya Teriyaki (Japanese) -- Beef teriyaki with egg roll/Chicken teriyaki

Wingdome (Hot wings) -- Hot wing sampler/Three-alarm wings

Wolfgang Puck Cafe (Eclectic) -- New Zealand lamb chops/Chocolate truffle cake

Ziegler's Bratwurst Haus (German) -- Polish sausage/Kids corndog

Music, comedy, dance, etc.

Fountain Stage

11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Bite kickoff relay race

1-1:40 p.m. Nadine Shanti and Pop Dah Gee, synthesis of pop, jazz & cabaret

2-2:40 p.m. Flynn and the Bonnets, pop-rock-grass-hop

3-3:40 p.m. Billy Moon, original acoustic/electric pop rock

4-4:40 p.m. Relish, original "earth pop"

5-5:40 p.m. Tillie, R&B recording artist

6-6:40 p.m. Darrius, smooth R&B

7-7:40 p.m. Snoopy Lawrence & the Gruvebox, urban adult contemporary funk

8-8:40 p.m. 4th Plane Jaiant, rhythmic acoustic fusion acid rock

Flag Stage

12:10-12:50 p.m. Badd Dog Blues Society, get down & boogie blues

1:10-1:50 p.m. Latigo Lace, rockin' country

2:10-2:50 p.m. The Blues Torpedos, rockin' swingin' Texas style blues

3:10-3:50 p.m. Sally Firecracker, Celtic violin-tinged energetic pop

4:10-4:50 p.m. The Invisible Band, nine-piece blues-rock revue

5:10-5:50 p.m. Oasis, dance music from the '40s to '90s

6:10-6:50 p.m. Two a.m., electrifyingly acoustic harmonic pop rock

7:10-7:50 p.m. Jude Bowerman, inspirational blend of blues & funk

8:10-8:50 p.m. Ghetto Monks, outrageous funk rock

Mural Stage

Noon-12:40 p.m. Napier's Bones, modern with transcendent jams

1-1:40 p.m. The Jim Farrand Band, edge of the couch folk/pop

2-2:40 p.m. The Kevin Jones Band, original electro acoustic rock

3-3:40 p.m. Chunk, energetic power pop

4-4:40 p.m. Here Comes Everybody, memorable pop rock

5-5:40 p.m. Wes Cunningham, eclectic modern singer-songwriter

6-6:40 p.m. The Coats, Northwest a cappella group

7-7:40 p.m. The Jeffrey Alan Band, emotionally driven pop rock

8-8:40 p.m. Big Spoon, rootsy driving folk-fed rock

Dance Palace

3-9 p.m. HB Radke

Mardi Gras Courtyard

4:30-6 p.m. Ecstasy In Numbers

6:30-8 p.m. Michael Powers

Comedy Club

3-3:30 p.m. Kelly Morgan

4-4:30 p.m. Jim Hope

5-5:30 p.m. David Crowe

6-6:30 p.m. Bill Scott

7-7:30 p.m. Mike Moto

8-8:30 p.m. Rod Long

TOMORROW

Fountain Stage

Noon-12:40 p.m. Cole'lition, contemporary inspirational pop jazz

1-1:40 p.m. Funky Divas, female dance hits of the '70s-'90s

2-2:40 p.m. HB Radke, '90s swing

3-3:40 p.m. Loni Rose, Seattle Lilith artists

4-5 p.m. Blessid Union of Souls

5:30-6:10 p.m. The Afrodisiacs, boogie knights of disco

6:30-7:10 p.m. M-Pact!, Seattle five-man a cappella band

7:30-8:10 p.m. Andy O, sounds of the Caribbean

Flag Stage

12:10-12:50 p.m. Network, bridging the gap through music

1:10-1:50 p.m. Dr. Funk, old school funk

2:10-2:50 p.m. The Retros, new wave & '80s dance hits

3:10-3:50 p.m. Caribbean Super Stars, hot sweet and jumpy

4:10-4:50 p.m. Magic Bus, retro rock with a psychedelic twist

5:10-5:50 p.m. The Machine, popular Northwest dance band

6:10-6:50 p.m. The Toyz, wacky '80s music

7:10-7:50 p.m. 80 Something, '80s dance hits

8:10-8:50 p.m. Kickshaw, mouth music with an edge

Mural Stage

Noon-12:40 p.m. The Nowhere Men, the Beatles -- almost

1-1:40 p.m. Mr. Muggy, acoustic/electric contemporary rock

2-2:40 p.m. Black, melodic pop rock alternative

3-4:00 p.m. Colin James

4:30-5:10 p.m. Kerosene Dream, roots rock

5:30-6:10 p.m. Face First, Creed meets 7 Mary 3

6:30-7:10 p.m. Godot, sophisticated rock, funk, rhythm & vocals

7:30-8:10 p.m. Trial, political straight edge hardcore

8:30-9:10 p.m. Shine, original Seattle rock

Dance Palace

3-9 p.m. 2000 Degrees

Mardi Gras Courtyard

2-3:30 p.m. David Keys Trio

4-5:30 p.m. Edmonia Jarrett

6:30-8 p.m. Patrick Lamb

Comedy Club

2-2:30 p.m. David Crowe

3-3:30 p.m. Brad Upton

4-4:30 p.m. Darryl Lenox

5-5:30 p.m. Susan Rice

6-6:30 p.m. Jim Hope

7-7:30 p.m. Kermit Apio

8-8:30 p.m. Chris Alpine

SUNDAY

Fountain Stage

Noon-12:40 p.m. Orchestra Nueva Era, Northwest salsa orchestra

1-1:40 p.m. Darren Motamedy, smooth jazz saxophonist extraordinaire

2-3 p.m. TBA

3:30-4:10 p.m. 2000 Degrees, '70s to '90s

4:30-5:10 p.m. Rubberneck, Latin urban funk

5:30-6:10 p.m. Phat, funk, rock & jazz

6:30-7:10 p.m. Bojest, pop with a Renaissance twist

Flag Stage

12:10-12:50 p.m. Njuzu Marimba, high energy African-style marimba music

1-1:50 p.m. Beyond, authentic gourmet '60s-'70s rock

2:10-2:50 p.m. The Pink Torpedos, classic dance rock

3:10-3:50 p.m. The Beatniks, high-energy '60s & '70s classic rock

4:10-4:50 p.m. Voodoo Roosters, gutsy young blues

5:10-5:50 p.m. The Biz, from Roy Orbison to the Beach Boys

6:10-6:50 p.m. The Penguins, classic R&B, rock & disco funk

7:10-7:50 p.m. The Charles White Band, Seattle's finest R&B

Mural Stage

Noon-12:40 p.m. Adam Sheridan, artistic edgy rock

1-1:40 p.m. Joey Furlan, groovin' high-energy alternative lite

2-2:40 p.m. Jumbalassy, Northwest Caribbean band

3-3:40 p.m. The Push Stars

4:30-5:10 p.m. Storm & Her Dirty Mouth, guitar driven rock with a hard and heavy edge

5:30-6:10 p.m. Guarneri Underground, new world electric violin music

6:30-7:10 p.m. The Johnny Ross Band, kitchen sink power pop

Mardi Gras Courtyard

1-2:30 p.m. Deems

3-4:30 p.m. Susan Pascal Quartet

5:30-7 p.m. Joe McBride

Comedy Club

2-2:30 p.m. Chris Alpine

3-3:30 p.m. Willie Randolph

4-4:30 p.m. Mike Moto

5-5:30 p.m. Jan Barrett

6-6:30 p.m. Brad Upton

7-7:30 p.m. Darryl Lennox

If you go

Park at the Bon Marché garage on Third and Stewart and take the monorail. Special parking rates are $5 today and tomorrow and $4 Sunday; present the garage attendant with a monorail ticket stub to receive the discount.

The downtown monorail station is located on the third floor of Westlake Center, with entrances from the mall or from the stairway at Fifth Avenue and Pine Street.

A special shuttle service, with up to 10 round trips per hour, will be operated during the Bite. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. each day.

One-way fares are $1.25 for adults and 50 cents for youths between the ages of 5-12, 50 cents for seniors and disabled, and free for children 4 and under. For more information, call 206-411-6038.

Metro downtown shuttle

Riders may catch the Metro shuttle bus downtown at Second Avenue and Madison Street, and at the Seattle Center at Second Avenue and Mercer Street. The shuttle makes all regular stops northbound on First Avenue until Denny Way and southbound on Fifth Avenue North between Mercer and Republican streets, then by request along Cedar Street and Second Avenue. It will operate from 10:10 a.m. to 11:04 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday.

One-way fare is $1 and an all-day pass is $2.

Metro Northgate shuttle

Metro will operate a shuttle tomorrow and Sunday between the Northgate Park & Ride, at N.E. 112th Street and Fifth Avenue N.E., and Seattle Center, with the stop in front of the Intiman Playhouse on Mercer Street. The shuttle from Northgate will run every 15 minutes from 9:57 a.m. to 7 p.m. and every 30 minutes from 7 p.m. to 10:27 p.m. It will operate from Seattle Center every 15 minutes from 10:40 a.m. until 7:40 p.m. and every 30 minutes from 7 p.m. to 11:10 p.m.

The shuttle makes inbound stops at Northgate Park & Ride and Northgate Transit Center, and on Aurora at 105th, 85th and 46th. The outbound shuttle makes all requested stops.

One-way fare $1 and an all-day pass is $2.

Metro bus routes

Metro provides regular bus service to the Seattle Center on 11 routes: 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 24 and 33.

For more information about bus service to the Bite, call 206-553-3000 (voice) or 206-684-1739 (TTY) or check online at: transit.metrokc.gov

Parking

Carpool rates are in effect today through Sunday at all parking facilities operated by the Seattle Center, which are identified by the Seattle Center logo. Rates are $8 (for three or more occupants), $10 (two occupants) and $11 (one occupant).

Disabled parking is available at all lots. If a lot appears to be full, ask an attendant for disabled access.

Seattle Center offers a parking, traffic and transportation hot line at 206-233-3989.

Alternate routes

Besides the major routes to the Seattle Center via the Mercer Street or Stewart Street exits from I-5, consider using Highway 99, Denny Way or Elliott Avenue.