BY DAVID MAMARIL HOROWITZ

david.horowitz@bgdailynews.com

Hundreds congregated within the dimly lit Mammoth Cave for the 45th annual Cave Sing Sunday afternoon.

The free event, hosted by Mammoth Cave National Park, featured the Heart of Kentucky Chorus, the Lindsey Wilson College Singers and trumpetist Hillary Sward.

It was the Cave Sing debut for the Heart of Kentucky Chorus, a barbershop mixed ensemble, and the sixth Cave Sing performance for the Lindsey Wilson College Singers, of Columbia.

Sward, on the trumpet, is additionally one of the cave guides.

Samantha Dale, whose partner Aaron Dale directs the Heart of Kentucky Chorus, tuned in to see her husband in his own element, she said.

“That’s what’s so fun to watch and see,” she said. “And, I love the Christmas music.”

National Park Service staff guided attendees to the performance area, an access trail with a steep hillside and 130 stairs, according to an NPS release.

Locals started celebrating Christmas in the cave around 1883, National Park Service Ranger Eric Elder told the audience.

That would lead to music being played throughout the cave system’s large chambers, he said.

The traditional Cave Sing began in 1980. Last year’s event had some 800 attendees, said Molly Schroer, from MCNP’s Public Information Office.

“We started having classical musicians, concert pianists coming into the cave, singing traditional Christmas songs, and it’s tradition that we carry it on today,” Elder said.

“And it is our honor for everyone to have you here today to continue on this tradition of our Cave Sing.”