90 guests from Oderzo to have whirlwind tour of Suffolk

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 10, 2005

The Festa Italiana may be the highlight of the trip for the city’s visitors from Oderzo, Italy.

But the 90 Italians, who will begin converging upon Suffolk from the hometown of Planters Peanut magnate Amedeo Obici tomorrow, won’t be spending all their time at Constant’s Wharf.

During their whirlwind four-day stay in Suffolk, the guests have an agenda packed with activities, said Jane Moore, a member of the Sister City Commission.

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&uot;They are going to be busy,&uot; she said.

On Friday, the group will tour two of Amedeo Obici’s legacies: Planters Peanuts and Obici Hospital. The will also visit Riddick’s Folly, where they will see Obici’s private art collection, and the Suffolk Train Station, where a collection of Mr. Peanut memorabilia is on display.

Before dining at downtown restaurants Friday night, visitors, along with host families and city officials, will take a wine-and-cheese cruise on the Nansemond River.

Although all of Saturday will be devoted to the festival, the Italians will have an opportunity to visit other areas Sunday, Moore said.

One group will go to Washington, D.C., where they will visit the White House, the Italian Embassy and Capitol Hill. The other group will head to Colonial Williamsburg or Busch Gardens.

On Sunday night, the group will gather for dinner at Planters Club, which was built by Obici for his employees.

Before departing for the Norfolk International Airport Monday afternoon, the guests will tour the Obici House and visit the Suffolk Museum.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com