Over 700 people will attend the second-ever Cape Girardeau Central High School reunion for classes from the decade of the 1950s.

Today and Saturday, classmates will gather at the A.C. Brase Arena Building for two days of activities, said Bill Evans of the class of 1955.

Classes from the decade held a joint reunion in 1988. "It's back by popular request," Evans said.

Classmates from at least 34 states will attend. In addition former teachers and others have been invited.

Evans explained that each class from 1950 to 1959 has a chairman and assistants helping plan the joint reunion. The committee includes 10 committees planning 38 different special projects ranging from entertainment to a memorial for classmates who have died.

The reunion costs $25 per person. Activities begin today at 10 a.m. at the Arena Building.

Evans said the event is designed to be casual.

"When you go to your 10-years reunion, and even the 20-year reunion, people are still cliquish. They are trying to go out and conquer the world," Evans said. "At 30-years-plus, what you see is what you get."

Planning for this weekend's reunion began in October. Plans are already under way for another reunion in 1998.