DOWNTOWN — Local leaders will jump into the Chicago River as part of the 20th anniversary of Ping Tom Memorial Park on Saturday.

The event, which also marks the 40th anniversary of Friends of the Chicago River, will bring together federal, state and local politicians to jump into the Chicago River. The jump is meant to demonstrate how much the river’s water quality has improved, according to Friends of the Chicago River.

After the jump, there will be lion dancers, canoeing, a dedication to new murals, food trucks, music and more.

“When Friends was founded 40 years ago most people would have never believed that one day we would all be jumping in a river alive with wildlife let alone swimming,” said Margaret Frisbie, Friends of the Chicago River’s executive director, according to the news release.

The event is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Ping Tom Memorial Park, 1700 S. Wentworth Ave. The jump happens at 9:30 a.m.