The Northern all-stars won't be coming home from with the Little League World Series championship but they will come home to a community celebration that organizers hope will draw 400 to 500 people.

From 6-8 p.m. tonight there will be a welcome home event at the Shaw High gym just off Schomburg Road, said Northern Little League treasurer Amy Allen.

“We want to welcome them home and tell them we are proud of them,” Allen said Sunday afternoon as plans were being finalized.

The Columbus team won its first two games before falling to eventual United States champion Hawaii. Though the team was eliminated on Friday, manager Randy Morris kept his team in Williamsport over the weekend.

They watched Hawaii lose to Japan 4-1 Sunday in the title game.

The players will be signing autographs and reconnecting with family and friends, Allen said.