MEET THE PIT CREW

Patrick Downey and Shaun Bullock are the driving force behind ACF Smokin’ BBQ, Laramie Wyoming’s premier barbeque competition. Meet the team that makes it happen every summer at the Albany County Fairgrounds.

PATRICK DOWNEY | FOUNDER

Patrick Downey is the founder and driving force behind ACF Smokin’ BBQ, Laramie’s premier KCBS-sanctioned barbecue competition. A certified KCBS judge with years of competition experience at events across the region, Patrick knows the craft from every angle…. as a competitor, a judge, and now an organizer. He launched ACF Smokin’ BBQ to bring top teams from across Wyoming and the country to the Albany County Fairgrounds, and his vision has grown the event year over year, attracting professional pitmasters, local sponsors, and hundreds of BBQ fans to Laramie each summer. By day Patrick manages large-scale commercial projects, and by night he and his wife co-own Killian’s Florists, a Laramie favorite known for its personal touch and deep community roots.

SHAUN BULLOCK | OPERATIONS & KCBS JUDGE

Pat calls him “the web guy,” and Shaun Bullock is fine with that. VP of Sales at ICC by day, Shaun keeps the website running, supports sponsorships, and is deep in the logistics trenches right up until midnight the night before the event…. making sure teams have what they need and fixing whatever needs fixing before the first fire is lit. He’s even competed once as a KCBS BBQ team, so he knows what teams are going through. When competition day arrives, he hands off the chaos and steps into a very different role. As a certified KCBS judge, Shaun is under the grandstands scoring every turn-in from the first box to the last. When it’s over, he finally joins the rest of Laramie and just enjoys the day.

Patrick Downey and Shaun Bullock Present ACF Smokin’ BBQ

ACF Smokin’ BBQ is Laramie Wyoming’s premier KCBS-sanctioned barbeque competition, held every summer at the Albany County Fairgrounds. Teams from across Wyoming and the region compete in traditional KCBS categories including chicken, pork ribs, pork, and beef brisket, all judged by certified KCBS judges to the highest standards of competition barbeque.

The event is more than a competition. It’s a celebration of community, great food, and the craft of barbeque. Families, food lovers, and BBQ enthusiasts gather each July to watch the smoke roll, smell the ‘que, and cheer on their favorite teams. Local sponsors and the Albany County Fair make it all possible, and every year the event grows bigger and better.

Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster looking to compete, a sponsor wanting to reach a passionate Laramie audience, or simply a fan who loves great barbeque, ACF Smokin’ BBQ has a place for you. We’ll see you at the Fairgrounds.

Come See Us This Summer

ACF Smokin’ BBQ 2026 takes place Saturday, July 25 at the Albany County Fairgrounds in Laramie, Wyoming. Registration is open now for competing teams, and admission is free for spectators. Kids’ Que activities keep the youngest BBQ fans entertained while the competition heats up. Whether you’re pulling up a chair or pulling off a perfect brisket, there’s something for everyone at Wyoming’s favorite summer barbeque event. We hope to see you there. ACF Smokin’ BBQ is proudly supported by local Laramie businesses and organizations who believe in the power of community events. Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels, giving businesses of all sizes a chance to get their name in front of hundreds of BBQ fans. Patrick Downey and Shaun Bullock personally work with every sponsor to make sure they get maximum visibility before, during, and after the event. Interested in sponsoring? Reach out through our website and let’s talk barbeque.