In the Press

Salem Halloween 2026: How To Best Enjoy The Witch City This Spooky Holiday Season

"It's too soon for data, but based on what we're seeing so far, I expect October visitation to remain roughly in line with last year, potentially with some modest growth," Destination Salem Executive Director Ashley Judge told Patch on Wednesday. "Either way, we're preparing for another very busy October in Salem. Last Saturday was busy with a capital B."

Judge, perhaps not surprisingly, strongly suggests downloading the Destination Salem app before a visit. The app contains more than just a list of businesses — there is a built-in restroom finder and information about attractions, ticketing, and parking shuttles.

Judge calls it: "The best way to keep your day running smoothly while the crowds are at their peak."

2026

Got a witch hat? Salem wants you to join its giant 400th anniversary photo.

Ashley Judge, executive director of Destination Salem, told Boston.com, the goal is to bring together as many witch-hat wearers as possible for what organizers envision as a memorable snapshot during Salem’s 400th anniversary celebrations.

“There are already so many people who come to the city in October,” said Judge. “Many of them are wearing hats, so we thought, let’s bring everyone together on the historic waterfront for this massive community photo.” 

“The photo will be something to enjoy for years to come,” said Judge.

In a release, Judge called the attempt, “a fun and uniquely Salem way to bring everyone together and make a little history during this milestone year.”

2026

Connoisseurs Corner With Jordan Rich

WBZ's Jordan Rich talks with Ashley Judge, Executive Director of Destination Salem, about the Salem Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival. 

2026

Salem's 'October Club' harnesses tourism surge to feed residents

The idea for the October Club came from Ashley Judge, vice chair of the Salem Pantry’s board of directors, who is now also executive director of the city’s main tourism organization, Destination Salem.

“Each October, 1.2 million people visit Salem, generating an extraordinary economic impact," she said in a statement. "The October Club gives us a new way to recycle that spending in the local economy, channeling visitor dollars into The Salem Pantry, where they become fresh, healthy food for families across the North Shore."

2025

Marketing is removing barriers: Lessons from a destination marketing expert

As things start to look spoOoOoky in SEO and social marketing, Ashley Judge is finding scary good success with owned media.

“Which doesn’t feel sexy in 2025, but it is," Judge says. (Note to self: Sexy Marketing Channel costume?) "Algorithms change, but emails let us tell our stories and connect to our people."

The key, she says, is finding the right mindset. "It’s not a hard sell pitch. It’s just, “Hi! Remember us?”"

To find that mindset, Judge recommends imagining you’re sending the message to a friend.

"What would the accompanying text be if I screenshot this and sent it to one of my friends? It would be very weird if they got a text from Ashley that said “THIS JUST IN!” But my friends aren’t going to block me if I say “Wouldn’t this be fun?"

2025

When the government shut down threatened Halloween bathrooms, a town rallied

So the mayor reached out to community partners, including Ashley Judge, executive director of the city's marketing organization, Destination Salem. She was thrilled because, in October, stakes are high.

“And so it was really important that this not become the crummy year, the year without bathrooms. It was a problem we needed to solve."

Judge sent out her own emails. The Salem Witch Museum was the first to respond.

2025

Episode 9

With October upon us, Mayor Pangallo sits down with the Executive Director of Destination Salem Ashley Judge to talk about tourism, events and what to expect in October.

2025 

Bay State Buzz: October Magic

Ashley Judge from Destination Salem talks about October in the North Shore town.

2025

Keys dropped in toilets, shockingly unprepared travelers, missing kids. These are tales from the visitor center. How tourism’s front-line workers do more than give directions.

"Tourism officials carefully try to offer up the facts without judgment," said Ashley Judge, executive director of Destination Salem. “Our job is to help visitors connect the story they came for with the real history and experiences waiting for them here,” she said.

2025

Salem welcomed record-breaking amount of visitors during October

"The beautiful warm weather on Halloween had an impact on how many folks came to celebrate with us. My husband, daughter, and I gave out 1,200 pieces of candy in an hour and 20 minutes!" Executive Director of Destination Salem Ashley Judge said. 

2024

Destination Salem appoints new Executive Director

Ashley Judge, the former CEO of Always Fits and member of the Salem Pantry Board and Marketing Committee, will be tasked with advocating for tourism initiatives as the head of Destination Salem. 

2024

25 Brands to Shop on Women-Led Wednesday

Ashley Judge, the creator of this site whose tagline is unique gifts for unusual and cool people, seems to have a knack for finding the best gag, silly, or of-the-moment presents. For those of you who binged Schitt’s Creek and became obsessed, there are some fun David, Alexis, and Moira-themed gifts. As well as other pop culture must-haves like a Golden Girls magnet set and a Mariah Carey ornament.

2021

What Are the Best White Tank Tops for Women

Ashley Judge, the founder of online retailer AlwaysFits, says that “as a mom and CEO, my uniform is black leggings, a slip-on flat shoe, a cardigan, and a top that is often white.” When it comes to her white tank tops, her criteria is simple: “Nice enough to wear to work, but comfy enough to not change after.” 

Judge says this unfussy white tank from Eloquii checks both boxes. The medium-weight, relaxed-fit tank top is available in up to a size 24, so it’s a great option for women with larger busts.

2020

Be as spicy as Blanche with new 'Golden Girls' hot sauce

We all carry a torch for the ladies of ‘The Golden Girls,’ and some are taking that more literally than others.

Like, say, the company behind the brand-new line of ‘Golden Girls’ hot sauce flavors: Always Fits.

The bottles come in four flavors, each pegged to one of our favorite ‘Girls’: Bea Spicy, Desert Rose, Sicilian Fire and Hot Slut.

The sauce was created by Ashley Judge, whose company Always Fits specializes in this sort of nostalgia merchandise.

In addition to the hot sauce, Always Fits also carries more ‘Golden Girls’ items, including prayer candles, ‘Golden Girls’ Clue, ‘Golden Girls’ Monopoly, makeup bags and umbrellas. Clearly, it is your one-stop ‘Girls’ shop.

2018

Web-based consignment boutique supports local charities

Tra Tuti, a new Web-based consignment business launched in April by Sharon native Ashley Judge.

Judge calls her consignment business ‘couture with a conscience’ because 20 percent of the sales price goes to charity.

“There’s this great new wave of social enterprises, which have the triple bottom line, making a profit, having a positive impact on society and being good for the environment. I want Tra Tuti to be part of that new wave," Judge said.

2010