(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

Maybe it was seeing the cattlemen in their cowboy hats. Maybe it was getting a savory whiff of meat on the barbeque. Or maybe it was just knowing that a tasty lunch was available – for free.

Next to sine die, Beef Day is one of the most anticipated days of the legislative session, and this year’s lunch was a smoking success, attracting hundreds of legislators, staffers, lobbyists and visitors to the Hill Thursday.

The popular annual event is sponsored by the Washington Cattlemen’s Association.