Fierce winds grip Philadelphia as holiday crowds and tailgaters power through

PHILADLEPHIA -- It's been an incredibly windy day across the region.

"It's time to bundle up," said Nevaeh Brown, of North Philadelphia.

There was an icy chill in the air as people skated at the Rotman Rink in Dilworth Park.

"You see me, I'm outside but I'm warm and comfortable, but it has been really, really cold out here," said Brown.

While it now feels like the holiday season in the air, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market made its return this week.

"Very windy and cold," said Celia Wolf, of Maker Missya.

Vendors said they came prepared.

"We've got our heater here keeping us warm, and everything's stayed steady, so that's a good sign," said Wolf.

But the crowds didn't stay as steady.

"It's a little quieter now, maybe everyone has gone to the Eagles game," said Wolf.

At the Linc, fans braved the fierce winds.

"At the tailgate you embrace the elements," said Jonathan Cairone, of Point Breeze.

Tailgaters were out in full force despite the gusty conditions.

"We couldn't have a tent, we couldn't put our flags up, and we've lost a bunch of stuff," said Gregg Miller, of West Chester.

And while the wind may have had the upper hand, tailgaters still had a strategy to keep things grounded.

"We have a very good system; we've been doing this for a very long time. But the wind was a little bit much but we got our weight, at the same time we were putting down weight," said Becky Bradley, of Feasterville.