Cheap Thrills: chowder, antiques and mud

Thursday means it's Cheap Thrills time in le Herald. On tap in today's column is Chowderfest on Sunday, Antiques LP release tonight in Cambridge and the Brockton Fair, which is actually older than Oil Can Boyd. Believe:

SECRET HANGOVER CURE
28th annual Chowderfest at Boston Harborfest
1 City Hall Plaza.Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., $10.
After a full day spent devouring hot dogs, finishing off a 30-pack of Natty Ice and getting neck cramps from looking skyward at the fireworks, the perfect holiday weekend capper is chowder. And lots of it. While not traditionally known as a hangover cure, chowder does have its sobering effects, and the 28th annual Chowderfest at the Boston Harborfest will be a veritable rehabilitation center for Independence Day overindulgence. The winner of the previous two Chowderfests, Christopher’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, is reportedly sitting this one out, so the field opens for a new king to be crowned among the likes of the House of Blues, Ned Devine’s Irish Pub and Yankee Lobster Fish Market. More than 2,000 gallons of chowder will be served - let’s get it on.
Info: bostonharborfest.com/chowderfest.

NEW CLASSICS
Antiques’ LP release party at the Plough & Stars
912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Today, 10 p.m., 21-plus, $5.
Album release parties for new music distributed by compact disc, USB port or downloadable mp3 business card are so 2004. Tonight at the Plough, local indie-folk kids Antiques drop their third album, “No Fortune,” and this one’s actually an album. The vinyl LP release is perfect for Antiques’ simple-yet-sweeping folk-drunk sound, which should fill the air within the intimate Plough like a musical Fix-A-Flat. Also on the bill are Ryan Walsh of Hallelujah the Hills, Patrick Grenham of Keys to the Streets of Fear and Windy Smiles, so these Antiques are proving to be more than just a local indie road show.
Info: 617-576-0032, ploughandstars.com.

ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND BROCKTON
The 135th annual Brockton Fair
Brockton Fairgrounds, 433 Forest Ave. Ongoing until Sunday, July 12, all ages, $5 for adults ($1 for children 12 and younger).
Kicking off yesterday, the 12-day Brockton Fair is again back in action, featuring more than 100 rides, games and attractions that will make the City of Champions proud. This weekend features fireworks shows galore to help get your Independence on, and other events include live professional wrestling, demolition derby and mud bogging, which we’ll all be doing if this apocalyptic rain fiesta doesn’t let up soon. Magic acts, thrill shows and petting zoos also help make this a cheap date night with plenty to talk about afterward at the diner.
Info: 508-586-8000, brocktonfair.com.