The Purple Unicorn began as a small lean-to structure at the original Maryland Rennfest site of Columbia, MD. in 1983 and was founded by Ms. Verna Cole.  Verna began custom tailoring the shirts by hand and sold her entire inventory the first weekend.  The Purple Unicorn quickly became a family business involving both, Verna's husband Darell and 18 year old daughter Cynthia.  In time, Cynthia would become the general manager and the business would grow to include sites at Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio and Canada; as well as, Cynthia's new husband Mark.