Holidays such as these see college students and distant relatives returning to towns in which they grew up in and sharing meals as they once did. Brookhaven’s annual Christmas parade set to start at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 is entitled “Bringing It Home For Christmas” and evokes the feeling of coming home for the holidays.

This year’s parade marshal is Brookhaven Academy alumnus and pro-baseball player Corey Dickerson.

Dickerson started playing baseball as a four-year old, being introduced via t-ball, coach pitch and playing for the little league in his community. Dickerson said because of his older brother, Craig, he’s always had a competitive nature. Dickerson said he and his brother both played baseball, basketball and professional baseball.

After graduating from BA, Dickerson attended two years at Meridian Community College where he was drafted in both 2009 and 2010 by the Colorado Rockies, for whom he currently plays.

“I’ve dreamed about that since I was little,” Dickerson said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the people in Brookhaven.”

Dickerson said he really had to work hard after surgery for injuries he sustained during his junior year of high school before he was drafted at MCC.

“It felt like a reward for all the hard work, the process that people don’t see; the working out and other things,” Dickerson said.

Dickerson said since he was young, he’s always played at a level higher than he was expected to play. Although he had plans to play in college he didn’t think about playing professionally. It wasn’t until his senior year in high school when he hit three home runs in one game that he noticed the interest in his abilities and sought to extend his goals further.

Dickerson said he is excited about coming back to Brookhaven and “being able to rekindle a few relationships and show that I care about the city and people. I’m looking forward to the opportunity, it’s a big honor to be chosen.”

Dickerson lives with his wife, Beth Anne Dickerson, and their two-month-old son, Davis Hayes, in Meridian during the off season. However, the Christmas parade will connect them with Dickerson’s parents and other relatives that still live in Brookhaven.

“Whenever family can get together the spirit of the holidays is there,” Dickerson said.