South Louisiana isn't the only place in the world that celebrates Mardi Gras. But Toledo, Ohio?This Saturday, for the fourth year running, Toledo residents will be treated to the Frozen Alligator Cajun Bayou Heritage Festival, "a Mardi Gras celebration that brings the traditional culture of the Louisiana bayou to the frozen north for one night," claims its Web site. "It's an idea I've had for a number of years," said festival organizer Bob Seeman. "I like this kind of stuff. "Seeman owns a company called Blue Suit Productions, which produces blues albums and a blues festival in Toledo every Memorial Day. He included a zydeco act in his annual festival one year, and the crowd demanded more. The inaugural Alligator Festival featured Louisiana artist Nathan and the Zydeco Chas Chas and a Toledo performer named Lazy Lester. Housed in the Toledo Zoo's amphitheater in February, things got a little chilly. "Hence the frozen in the name," said Seeman with a laugh. "That was a big success," he added. "Five hundred seats were filled. "The festival has since moved to the Ohio Theatre, the only remaining vaudeville theater in Toledo. Not only is the theater warmer, Seeman explained, but there's room to dance on the stage. This year's festival features C.J. Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band and Lil' Malcolm and the Zydeco House Rockers. "This is the first year we've done it after Mardi Gras, Seeman said. But the Carnival theme is still integral to the show, he added. Feather masks, beads and medallions will be sold.In between sets, participants will be shown "Always For Pleasure," a Les Blank documentary on south Louisiana's Carnivals. Blank's editor and assistant, Maureen Gosling, is a native of Toledo. "The film is part of educating the people here, " Seeman said, adding that most Ohioans don't know much about the Cajuns, Creole music or Carnival. "It gives a complete picture of what's going on."In addition to music, education and dancing, jambalaya and red beans and rice will be sold. "We have authentic food, and it's good," Seeman said. "We don't spice it too heavily. Not everybody likes our taste. We keep Louisiana hot sauce on the tables, though. "So far, the festival has filled the theater, Seeman explained, attracting up to 650 people, mostly ages 35 to 65.The theater is in a predominantly Polish neighborhood, and Seeman said he believes that is part of the festivals' popularity. "They have a tremendous community that comes out for this," he said. "There's a relation between the cultures (Polish and Cajun/zydeco). The accordion is an amazing instrument. It crosses many cultures. "The festival is relatively small and reasonably priced, he said, because "Toledoans tend to be thrifty." The evening costs $12 in advance or $15 at the door with discounts for students. "We're not doing this to make money," Seeman insisted. "We're doing it to have fun, both the festival and the record company. "The people love it," he continued. "Ethnic music strikes a chord."