Special celebration to recognize Super Bowl volunteers held at Lucas Estate

What a way to say "thank you," a soiree was held at the Lucas Estate in Carmel Tuesday.

The party was an invitation-only event for members of the Super Bowl Host Committee, along with others who helped bring the big game to Indy. A total of 22,000 square feet were filled with live music, fine food and plenty to drink.

"It was been a real community-wide program to make all of this happen," said Forrest Lucas. "It was not just a few of us, it was everybody together.

Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, the owners of the mansion,  and the founders of Lucas Oil Products, played host to many of the people who organized Super Bowl 46 festivities, as well as those who helped convince the NFL to bring the big game to Indiana.

"Nobody has a host city like we have, with all the people, the downtown," said Forrest Lucas. "The Convention Center next to the most beautiful stadium in the world."
 
Lucas said he is honored that the world’s biggest game is being played on a stage that bears his name. He is confident Sunday’s game will not be the only time Indianapolis hosts a Super Bowl.
 
"I think it might be every fifth year because the NFL is going to make more money from this football game than I think they ever have before," said Lucas.

Two of the league’s best teams play for a championship Sunday. Lucas said it was rough seeing his hometown team become one of the worst, though.

As far as the Colts’ future, Lucas said it is time for the man who helped build Lucas Oil Stadium, Peyton Manning, to walk away from the game.
 
"I think it is time for him to be a coach, to come back with the Colts. We need his help," said Lucas. "He has had a career, he is arguably the best player in history. It will always be argued he is the best player in history."

Forrest and Charlotte Lucas also had a hand in bringing Super Bowl 46 to Indianapolis. The family donated $1 million of the $25 million spent in the Super Bowl proposal to bring the game to the Hoosier State.