The Du Quoin State Fair still owes vendors $250,000 from last year, and fair officials are trying to get those bills paid before this year’s fair kicks off.

A Vendor Assistance Program through the state’s Department of Central Management Services will pay 90 percent of what they are owed without having to wait for the state to appropriate funds.

The state says the 105 vendors still owed money will get the remaining 10 percent when the department receives its state funding.

This year’s Du Quoin State fair will run from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5.