The first Rock the River event was held in June of 2015. The original goal was to provide a complementary event on the same day as the ACA's Great Rappahannock whitewater canoe race, which is now celebrating its 40th year! The RTR planning committee wanted to bring together the many people who enjoy and benefit from the rappahannock river either through tourism, business development, recreation, or cultural influence.

The event offers opportunities for local vendors to meaningfully engage with the community, Musicians, food vendors, craft breweries, artists, and community organizations partcipate to network, present their products to the public, and to show their support of the community. Excluding the beer garden, the rock the river event is free to everyone; this illustrates the event's commitment to family-friendly, fun, and inclusive experiences for everyone.