The fair is coming to Chicago –doggy style. More than 200 pooches up for adoption will be housed in tents around the Lincoln Park Savings Bank May 21 and 22 at the second annual “Dogs on Damen” event in the bank parking lot — 4035 N. Damen Ave.

Tents at the event will have dogs of many different breeds on display, says Bobby Samborsky, marketing director of LPSB. Samborsky runs the event with Peter Volpe, vice president of investment services and sales.

The event is like a fair for people wanting to adopt, Samborsky says.

“Instead of spending weeks going to different shelters, you can go and see a wide range of dogs under one roof,” he says.

Among the eight shelters participating are The Anti-Cruelty Society, PAWS Chicago and Lake Shore Animal Shelter. Each shelter will have a tent with handlers and employees to answer questions and fill out adoption forms. There also will be a tent selling dog toys and food.

Volpe and Samborsky created the event after Volpe spoke with a friend at the Anti-Cruelty Society about the growing number of homeless dogs. When Chicagoland shelters were enthusiastic to participate in a collective effort, Volpe and Samborsky finalized their plans and created one of the Chicago area’s largest pet adoption events.

Last year people came from as far as Indiana and Wisconsin to adopt, and this year a woman will be coming all the way from Minnesota, Samborsky says.

“You hear stories of dogs being in shelters for two or three years,” Samborsky says. “It’s a good feeling to know that you can finally give them a home.”

Last year’s event provided homes for 100 dogs, and Samborsky has set this year’s goal even higher, at 200 dogs.

“We’ve done more advertising with posters and on the Internet,” he says. “It’s a lofty goal, but we’re going to shoot for it.”

“Dogs on Damen” will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (800) 780-5886.

— Archana Ram