NATCHEZ — Sen. Thad Cochran, who was to serve as the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce Gala keynote speaker will not be able to attend, Chamber President Pat Biglane said Saturday.

Cochran had to be in Washington, D.C., for an important vote, Biglane said.

“It’s one of those things when you deal with people in an important position,” Biglane said. “These things happen. We really appreciate him for everything he’s done for our community. We understand the situation, and we know the Miss-Lou community will, too.”

Cochran will fly to Natchez for the grand opening of the federal courthouse Monday, where he is also scheduled to speak, and then will fly back to Washington, Biglane said.

Charlie Williams, Gov. Haley Barbour’s chief of staff, who was to announce Cochran, will speak in his place at the chamber dinner.

The gala will still be a big event, Biglane said.

“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We’ve got probably one of the biggest crowds we’ve ever had since we’ve done annual dinners — close to 600 people. It’s going to be a great meal and a great time.”

The fundraiser dinner will include a silent auction and awards for Natchezian, woman and business of the year.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, and we still want everybody to come,” Biglane said. “It’s going to be a good get-together.”