Getting into AES Redondo Beach was easier than usual Saturday. The guard waved everyone through a balloon archway with a big smile, and no badges were required. The occasion? A gathering called Power Harvest: Growing Our Communities Together.

All afternoon, visitors were welcomed to the AES parking lot, normally a restricted area. A few scattered "Yes on G" signs were visible, but AES employees seemed to have only one goal in mind: making sure people had fun. And they did.

"It's just wonderful," said Pamela Dank, who was taking a breather while her son Andersen decorated a pumpkin. Like most of the visitors, Dank has lived in Redondo Beach for years but never seen the inside of the power plant.

For the kids, there was face painting, a moon bounce, pumpkins to be carved or painted, starfish to be touched, and some hands-on learning booths. AES employees helped them make a flashlight, or power up a bank of light bulbs by pedaling a bike.

The Sea Lab had tubs filled with saltwater, starfish and crabs. The Tree Musketeers handed out seeds and asked folks to plant trees. The Redondo Beach Fire Department brought an engine, answering questions and encouraging kids to handle the boots and equipment.

Of course, there was food—free food. Buckets and bowls of Halloween candy, cookies, cold drinks, as well as gumbo and po'boys cooked by Steve, the Ragin Cajun himself.

This year, AES sold raffle tickets to raise funds for Cheer for Children, a group that helps kids who are acutely ill or physically challenged by hosting parties, and donating food, gas or clothing to their families.

Parts of the plant were open for guided tours. Longtime Redondo Beach resident Mary Watkins remembers touring the plant in the early 1970s, when the old equipment was still being used to generate electricity. "Actually, the inside looked the same. The main difference for me was that the turbines weren't running anymore," Watkins said. "When I was there in the '70s, it was very, very noisy."

These days, machinery in the oldest part of the former Edison facility is shut down but movies and TV shows are filmed there. The site pops up in all seven seasons of 24, Live Free or Die Hard and Transformers. All proceeds from the filming go to charities. A few of the 1950s-era meters and switches even ended up at Disneyland, as props in the Tower of Terror ride.

Another section of the plant, built in the 1950s, was temporarily reactivated last month to provide power during our recent heat wave. Visitors in hard hats got to see this part as well, and learn how AES generates electricity: by using natural gas to heat water, building up enough steam and pressure to power the giant turbines that make electricity.

The modern, active power generating facility was off limits to visitors, even on this special day. But with all that candy and gumbo, who cared?