Well, this summer, many of the celebrations for America's 250th birthday will be grand in scope.

An IndyCar race around Washington, D.C., a great American state fair, and a mixed martial arts fight on the South Lawn of the White House.

But in communities across the country, smaller celebrations are also taking place, hoping to use some of the year's patriotic energy to engage their neighbors and transcend political divisions that can overshadow so much of civic life today.

Judy Woodruff reports as part of her series, America at a crossroads.

On a picture-perfect spring morning, a group of British soldiers are preparing for battle.

Nearby, a camp of Patriots is doing the same,

—

— — firelock.

Before starting a mile-long march to meet their enemy.

— Firelocks! But instead of a trek through lightly settled wilderness, march to meet their enemy.

But instead of a trek through lightly settled wilderness, these soldiers are navigating

a modern-day New Jersey town, including traffic, narrow sidewalks, and a march past a

marijuana dispensary.

Waiting for the two sides to clash is a small crowd.

Here to witness a reenactment of the Battle of Bound Brook.

Fire!

From low!

Colonial soldiers trade fire with the redcoats.

Near the spot where 249 years earlier, about 500 Patriots were attacked by nearly 4,000

British crown troops.

Like that day in April of 1777, the Americans put up a spirited fight, only to eventually

retreat from the British.

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