New Year's excitement builds at Penn's Landing despite the bitter cold

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - Excitement for the New Year's Eve celebration grew throughout the week across the Delaware Valley. People have been counting down to midnight, especially down by the waterfront.

And, while there aren't the typical crowds for New Year's Eve, it is also not the typical New Year's Eve weather. It seems most people who took advantage of holiday package deals are the brave ones out in the cold and those people would not be stopped from celebrating.

"So, you're primed for the cold? Yeah, we've been cold all day. And, you haven't had enough? I have, but I'm going to watch the fireworks, anyway," said hardy New Year's celebrator Justin Weber.

Most everybody FOX 29 spoke with made weekend reservations weeks ago. Hotel, Eagles game, dinner and fireworks, all on December 31.

"Anything for fireworks," said one woman from New York.

New Yorkers who are passing up Times Square for Penn's Landing told FOX 29, "Philly's better. We gotta come to Philly for New Year's Eve."

They're not even cold.

"This is not bad? No, not at all. I wouldn't say it's pleasant, but it's a good night," said a New Yorker, having fun in Penn's Landing.

"What's your little buddy's name? That's Bentley. Is he afraid of us? He's not afraid of anybody, he's cold though," said one gentleman, out with his dog.

"What do you have on? 4 pairs of pants, a thick shirt and a jacket," said another celebrator.

Despite the cold, party organizers say they were sold out.

"Sold out but will they come out? They will, I know because people are selling their tickets on Facebook," said Emma Fried-Cassorla, of the Delaware River Corporation.

The only place colder than watching fireworks next to the water would be on the water, aboard the USS New Jersey.

"It is below zero, but we're used to it. We are from Ukraine," said party-goers.

But, when you're from Florida?

"I am frozen. I can't feel parts of my body. I don't think I will ever get it back," said one gentleman from Florida.

"We thought it would be fun to wear our winter coats and look cute and it's not that fun," said another celebrator.

Kwame and Adrienne blamed it on their Bensalem buddies who had done this before.

"Was it this cold? No, that's why I thought it would be more fun," said another party-goer.

"It's freezing. Oh my God, I want to go inside," said a cold celebrator.

Still, some of these hearty folks say they're going to the Mummers Parade January 1, as well.