why?

The rules are quite clear on the selling and use of fireworks.

Now when I was a kid the festivities all happened on Nov 5th, but now it's considered better to have the events on the nearest weekend - which might include this weekend as 9 is nearly as close to 5 as 2.

I actually agree with you. We should get back to holding traditional celebrations on the traditional day and not on the nearest weekend so that business/school isn't "interrupted". I recall as a teenager going to fireworks during the week and fireworks night being an exciting change from the normal routine.

If we all celebrated on the 5th then there would no need for events on surrounding weekends.