MONCTON, N.B. — A grassy field in southeastern New Brunswick is about to become one of the most populated places in Atlantic Canada as the Rolling Stones bring their Bigger Bang Tour to the region.

As many as 85,000 people are expected to converge on Magnetic Hill in Moncton on Saturday for a day-long, outdoor rock concert being billed as the biggest ever in Atlantic Canada and the biggest show of the Stones' 2005-06 world tour.

"Magnetic Hill, New Brunswick, will be without doubt the second-largest city in Atlantic Canada, after Halifax," said concert promoter Donald K. Donald.

"I think the Rolling Stones should be the mayor."

Donald said tickets for the concert have been sold in all four Atlantic provinces, in Quebec and in three U.S. states.

Dignitaries at the concert will include Frank McKenna, Canada's ambassador to the United States. McKenna, the former premier of New Brunswick, has a summer home not too far from the Magnetic Hill site.

Donald praised Moncton's central location, which has earned it the nickname the Hub City.

"This is a centralized place where we can reach the widest audience."

Organizers said more than 75,000 of the 85,000 available tickets have been sold.

Camping sites were starting to fill on Friday. Hundreds of hectares of parking have been made available, but much of it is quite a distance from the site.

On the 40-hectare field, construction of the enormous, seven-storey stage was due to be completed by Friday night. The stage includes a massive video screen so people sitting anywhere on the field will have good view.

Dale Skjerseth, production manager for the tour, said the field is in good shape despite heavy rain earlier in the week.

"The weather is perfect," he said. "It's going to be great; a lifetime experience."

The site was beginning to resemble a tent city Friday afternoon as food and beverage vendors put up tents. Shelters for medical personnel, security and other workers were also erected.

Security will be tight at the concert. People are allowed to bring in only blankets, cushions and a single litre of water.

Transport Canada will enforce a no-fly zone above and around the concert area.

There will be more than 600 portable toilets on site and organizers have invested tens of thousands of dollars to make sure they are kept clean and functioning.

"Controlling this kind of pandemonium is an art form," said organizer Mike Elder.