Newport-Based Ruby’s Puts in Order for 2nd Float

Ask for a float at Ruby’s Diner on New Year’s Day and the preferred flavor is likely to be rose.

For the second year in a row, Newport Beach-based Ruby Restaurant Group is sponsoring a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. The float is being decorated at the Brookside Tent in Pasadena at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive.

Last year’s float--titled “Malt Shop Memories”--won the National Trophy, for the best depiction of life in the United States. “We received such a great response from our customers that we have decided to create a float again this year,” said Doug Cavanaugh, president of the restaurant chain.

The theme for the upcoming 108th annual Tournament of Roses will be “Life’s Shining Moments,” and Ruby’s is readying a float titled “Entertaining Victory,” a salute to the USO (United Service Organization). Ruby’s float will be a re-creation of the Hollywood Canteen, a famous USO club during World War II. The float will have a huge trio of sculptured and animated singers who are performing for the troops. Six couples will dance live on the float--to the sounds of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” and “Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree.”

Two company employees--Jennifer Schaffroth from the Ruby’s in Yorba Linda and South Coast Plaza waitress Cyndi Wells--will join professional dancers on the float that will incorporate over 200,000 flowers. The 35-foot float will have six wheels and three operators. Duarte-based Fiesta Floats is designing and building the float.

Flowers include red carnations, white chrysanthemums, blue sinuata statice, white dendrobium orchids, cattleya orchids and Sonia peach roses.

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Greg Johnson covers retail businesses and restaurants for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5950 and at greg.johnson@latimes.com