FREEPORT – For those looking to burn calories and promptly put them back on, the Winslow Park Family Fun Day June 22 will be the perfect opportunity for both.

The event, now in its 18th year, is a joint production between the Freeport Rotary Club and Winslow Park, a town-owned family campground perched on 90 acres of oceanfront property abutting Casco Bay on Staples Road in South Freeport. The daylong event begins at 9 a.m. and features a 5 kilometer and 10 kilometer road race that begins and ends at the park. After the race, a free barbecue from Buck’s Naked Barbeque in Freeport will be provided to all racers and their children. In addition, Wilbur’s of Maine will have children’s prizes and more importantly, free ice cream. If that isn’t enough, free hot dogs courtesy of Bow Street Market and hamburgers will also be available.

Though the two respective road races are the big draw, it’s an event designed to bring everyone out to enjoy the great outdoors, said Neil Lyman, Winslow Park Manager.

“This is for everybody and extremely kid friendly,” said Lyman. “The scope is a little bigger this year as we’ve added music.”

In addition, activities will be planned for children, including the kids fun run, a “bouncy ball” area, an awards ceremony for runners, a 1p.m. performance by Maine-based duo the Mallet Brothers, and of course the satisfaction of helping a good cause.

According to Freeport Rotary Club President Ranjit Gill, the event typically raises between $3,000 and $5,000 annually for a Rotary Club scholarship given annually to a Freeport High graduating senior who embodies the spirit of the Rotary, an international service organization.

“This is a true community event,” said Gill, who recently presented multiple scholarships in the amount of $6,000 to two Freeport High graduates. “The money comes from the community and we give it back in form of a scholarship.”

Dr. James Hendricks, a Rotary member who also serves as chairman of the Freeport Town Council, is the driving force behind the event and puts in countless hours to make it happen, said Gill.

“I got involved 12 years ago as a newer member of the Rotary,” said Hendricks, a chiropractor who operates the Freeport Integrated Health Center on South Freeport Road. “It’s the primary fundraiser for the Rotary scholarship. As a doctor I know how valuable scholarships can be and the burden of paying off student loans.”

The event is also a showcase for Winslow Park, a destination often overlooked by tourists and locals alike, said Lyman. Winslow Park has more than 100 campsites and wooded trails with views of Casco Bay, rental picnic shelters for functions, picnic tables, grills and a tidal beach. There is also a boat launch, which can accommodate anything from boats to canoes to kayaks, according to an informational brochure provided by the park.

The hidden-gem status of Winslow Park is fine with Lyman and is the perfect setting for a community event hosted by the Freeport Rotary.

“It’s a true town park but the town was lucky enough to be given this,” said Lyman. “You could never just fiscally buy something like this.”