Staff at the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton are getting ready to host an encampment this weekend to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the second and final siege of the historic site.

"Actually, we had one employee basically making 50,000 cartridges for muskets during the month of May," said Peter Chiasson, program manager at the Fortress. "So, there's quite a bit of planning."

Restaurants on site have also stocked their freezers, enough to feed an army, he added.

The event is expected to attract about 1,200 costumed re-enactors as well as 15,000 tourists, Chiasson said.

7-week siege destroys fortress

The Fortress of Louisbourg was once one of France's key holdings in North America during the 18th century. However, it came under repeat attacks by the British after the two countries declared war.

In 1758, it was captured and later destroyed by the British army after a seven-week siege.

History buffs from around the world have already begun to set up their tents for the weekend encampment.

Horst Dressler, who travelled from Vermont, will play James Wolfe, the commander for the British troops, this weekend. Dressler said he has been studying for the role for nearly four years.

"I've gone to the archives in Montreal as well as in Ottawa," Dressler told CBC News. "I've got Wolfe's letters. I've just tried to study as much as I could about the man."

The normal entry fee to visit the Fortress of Louisbourg, operated by Parks Canada, will apply during the daytime this weekend, but visitors should expect some delays in getting onto the site, Chiasson said.

Tickets for the evening battle re-enactment and fireworks display on July 26 are already sold out.

The fortress is considered to be the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America.