Dallas / Fort Worth Local News

DALLAS (AP) ― About 300 people, some silly and others solemn, gathered in Dealey Plaza on Wednesday to mark the 43rd anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination in a loosely organized ceremony that was part memorial and part circus.

The crowd included Elvis impersonators, conspiracy theorists and, for some reason, a shrouded piano worth $2.1 million set up for a photo shoot on a patch of lawn adjacent to the grassy knoll.

The event was a curious mixture of patriotism, religion and remembrance. Beverly Oliver, known by Dealey Plaza regulars as the famous Babushka Lady visible in photographs of the assassination, started the event at noon by singing the national anthem, followed by "God Bless the USA."

After a moment of silence that was supposed to coincide with the exact moment that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald fired his fatal shots (or not), Oliver sang "Amazing Grace."

Many attendees at the impromptu ceremony believe Oswald did not act alone, or at all, or was set up.

"You'll get 100 different theories from 100 different people," said Jim Crump, a 44-year-old stagehand from Orlando who admits to working on an "in-depth study" of the assassination. "It's like Pandora's Box, where more and more stuff comes out until you just can't get it to close and go away."

Between the grassy knoll and Elm Street, where Kennedy and Gov. John Connally were shot, author Robert Groden set up shop, hawking his 11 books and glossy magazine to tourists. Groden has been in Dealey Plaza almost daily for the last 12 years, he said, explaining to people "the unholy alliance" between the CIA and organized crime that resulted in Kennedy's death.

Anywhere from eight to 13 shots were fired that day, he said, with several coming from the parking lot beyond the grassy knoll.

"The sad thing is 43 years later we still have to ask these questions," Groden said.

Another man helping Groden with his book sales had a different theory.

"I'll probably get in trouble with the government, but in my mind, I think it was (President) Johnson," said Craig West, 51.

A group billing itself as the Coalition on Political Assassinations held aloft a banner bearing the name of its organization. Men milled around wearing T-shirts that said "Who shot JFK?" on the front and "Not LHO" on the back.

The piano was at the center of the scene, just yards from the X on Elm Street that marks the spot where Kennedy was shot. The piano belongs to pop star George Michael and his partner, Kenny Goss, who owns an art gallery in Dallas. Michael bought it at auction six years ago because the piano's former owner was John Lennon, who composed "Imagine" on it, publicist Barbara Buzzell said.

Michael and Goss plan to have the piano photographed at historically significant sites for an upcoming photography exhibit celebrating peace, Buzzell said.

Not everyone there was pushing pianos or conspiracy theories. Some were tourists and history buffs.

Dennis and Debra Walker of Chicago were in town to visit their daughter for Thanksgiving. Dennis, a 54-year-old history teacher, said they came to Dealey Plaza because "this morning it dawned on us that it was the anniversary."

"JFK always had this mystique," said Debra Walker, 50. "It became a part of your life. It became more personal. I remember my parents, who were staunch Republicans, were so devastated and couldn't believe anyone would do this."

(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)