The countdown is on and preparations well underway before rock icons Aerosmith and guitar legend Slash take the stage in Sydney’s Open Hearth Park Friday evening.

Cape Fest 2014 will be one of the largest music events to ever take place on Cape Breton Island.

“I’m expecting it to be a very busy week, very exciting week, and I think it’s going to be a fantastic show,” says concert promoter Alex Martin.

The one-day outdoor event is expected to attract 15,000 people to the park.

Cape Breton Regional Police spokesperson Desiree Vassallo says they have been planning for the concert for several months and will have extra resources on hand.

“We will also have an incident command centre set up. Police, fire and EHS will be manning that centre and able to respond to anything major that should arise, as well as access to any additional resources needed,” says Vassallo.

Lynn Gilbert, a spokesperson for the Cape Breton District Health Authority, says a plan is also in place at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

“You do ramp up when there is a potential for an emergency. An emergency can happen at any time, so we are well prepared for anything that could come through the door,” says Gilbert. “Emergencies are part of our system and this is what our staff are trained to do.”

All streets surrounding the park will be closed to traffic. Concertgoers are asked to park at the former race track in Sydney.

“We have cooperated with the Cape Breton Horsemen’s Association. There’s an old race track on Upper Prince Street. All parking will be done there and shuttled to and from the site to your car,” explains Martin.

The concert stage is set to arrive Monday evening. It is the same stage used for Shania Twain’s concert in Charlottetown on Aug. 30.

“The stage comes in on six transport trucks. We’re looking at about 200 to 250,000 pounds on just the stage alone,” says Martin. “That doesn’t include anything hanging off it or the huge video boards Aerosmith will be bringing with them.”

General admission tickets are still available at a cost of $119.75, plus tax and fees. The gates open at 2 p.m.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore