Due to the need for as much parking as possible on Main Street and behind Edmond Town Hall (ETH) Thursday afternoon, the opening night of Top Gun: Maverick has been postponed to Friday, July 15.

A very large crowd is expected on Thursday afternoon for the calling hours for lifelong Sandy Hook resident and longtime Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief Bill Halstead, who died unexpectedly on July 8.

The wake is planned for 5 to 8 pm at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street. Organizers are expecting significant crowds for the service.

Overflow parking will be sent to the lot of Edmond Town Hall, at 45 Main Street.

Police officers and others will provide safe passage for pedestrians crossing Main Street during the hours of the wake. They will also be tasked with traffic control during that timeframe.

Those planning to attend the wake are urged to consider carpooling when possible, to help alleviate the expected traffic.

Following a proclamation from the governor, flags across the state were lowered Monday morning to honor Halstead, who joined Sandy Hook VFR the day he turned 16, served continuously as the company's chief since 1978, and had retired as the Town of Newtown Fire Marshal in 2016. He continued to hold positions and membership in multiple regional, state, and national fire service organizations.

In addition to the already-planned screenings of Top Gun: Maverick at 1 and 7 pm Friday, July 15, and 1, 4 and 7 pm Saturday, July 16, screenings of the international blockbuster have been added at 1 and 7 pm Monday, July 18.

Tickets are $3.50 each, available in advance at edmondtownhall.org and at the box office at 45 Main Street.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.